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Fungal endophyte N-acetylglucosaminidase expression in the infected host grass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2005

Huaijun Michael LI
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Biology and Pathology and The Biotechnology Center for Agriculture & the Environment, Cook College, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
Jo Anne CROUCH
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Biology and Pathology and The Biotechnology Center for Agriculture & the Environment, Cook College, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
Faith C. BELANGER
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Biology and Pathology and The Biotechnology Center for Agriculture & the Environment, Cook College, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Fungal endophytes of the genera Neotyphodium and Epichloë are important mutualistic symbionts and pathogens of many cool-season grass species. Here we report the characterization of a secreted N-acetylglucosaminidase from the Neotyphodium sp. endophyte that infects the grass Poa ampla. The enzyme was expressed at low levels within the host, and activity could be detected in the apoplastic protein fraction. Low-level expression could also be detected in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. fallax), and tall fescue (L. arundinaceum). The enzyme may function in the recycling of chitin oligomers generated from turnover of the fungal cell wall. This is the first report of a secreted N-acetylglucosaminidase expressed by an endophytic fungus in the infected host plant.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The British Mycological Society 2005

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