Kala-azar caused by Leishmania donovani species complex is endemic in 88 countries. Kalaazar is transmitted by sandflies (Phlebotomus species). This project aimed to identify molecular markers for Kala-azar (gene and protein) and to develop a biodiagnostic tool for leishmaniasis by insilico method based on molecular markers. With the help of bioinformatics tools, databases and approaches, the studies on pathogenesis of disease involving both Leishmania donovani and homo sapiens(human) were carried out. For identifying the suitable gene marker, the microarray data analysis was referred and a list of Leishmania genes were displayed. Of that, CFAS(cyclopropane fatty acyl phospholipid synthase) was taken into consideration due to its absence in the human genome and high gene expression rate. Using CFAS (cyclopropane fatty acyl phospholipid synthase) protein as target, and Salicylic acid, a phytochemical from Aloe vera as ligand was docked, but the result showed less docking score than a natural inhibitor Sinefungin. This shows that CFAS (cyclopropane fatty acyl phospholipid synthase) may not be used as a drug target but, it can be used as a biomarker for Kala-azar because high level of expression was noted in microarray expression studies. Therefore, a suitable method to use CFAS as a marker protein to diagnose Kala-azar was proposed.
