Chitin synthases from Saprolegnia are involved in tip growth and represent a potential target for anti-oomycete drugs.

ABSTRACT: Oomycetes represent some of the most devastating plant and animal pathogens. Typical examples are Phytophthora infestans, which causes potato and tomato late blight, and Saprolegnia parasitica, responsible for fish diseases. Despite the economical and environmental importance of oomycete diseases, their control is difficult, particularly in the aquaculture industry. Carbohydrate synthases are vital for hyphal growth and represent interesting targets for tackling the pathogens. The existence of 2 different chitin synthase genes (SmChs1 and SmChs2) in Saprolegnia monoica was demonstrated using bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches. The function of SmCHS2 was unequivocally demonstrated by showing its catalytic activity in vitro after expression in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant Sm

SUBMITTER: Guerriero G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2928807 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature