Isolation and molecular characterization of β-tubulin gene from Arthrobotrys musiformis — A nematode trapping fungus

A new isolate of Arthrobotrys musiformis, a naturally occurring predacious hyphomycete, has been found to be effective against Haemonchus contortus, a roundworm, which seriously affects milk and meat production in ruminants. However, further studies on the suitability of this fungus for use in integrated pest management (IPM) showed that it is highly susceptible to benzimidazole derivatives, which are the most common antihelmintics currently used for deworming cattle. β-tubulin plays a major role in conferring resistance to benzimidazols. The β-tubulin gene of A. musiformis was isolated from genomic DNA through PCR and sequenced. BLAST analysis revealed 95% homology with β-tubulin gene of A. oligospora followed by other filamentous fungi. The isolated gene lacks mutation, which confers susceptibility to benzimidazols in the gene sequence of A. musiformis.