Cloning, characterization, and transcription of three laccase genes from Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, the take-all fungus.

ABSTRACT: Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, a filamentous ascomycete, is an important root pathogen of cereals that causes take-all disease and results in severe crop losses worldwide. Previously we identified a polyphenol oxidase (laccase) secreted by the fungus when induced with copper. Here we report cloning and partial characterization of three laccase genes (LAC1, LAC2, and LAC3) from G. graminis var. tritici. Predicted polypeptides encoded by these genes had 38 to 42% amino acid sequence identity and had conserved copper-binding sites characteristic of laccases. The sequence of the LAC2 predicted polypeptide matched the N-terminal sequence of the secreted laccase that we purified in earlier studies. We also characterized expression patterns of these genes by reverse transcription-PCR. LAC1

SUBMITTER: Litvintseva AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC123725 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature