ENHANCED EXPRESSION OF ENDOCHITINASE IN TRICHODERMA-HARZIANUM WITH THE CBH1 PROMOTER OF TRICHODERMA-REESEI

Production of extracellular endochitinase could be increased 5-fold in the mycoparasite fungus Trichoderma harzianum by using the cellulase promoter cbh1 of Trichoderma reesei, whereas the total endochitinase a ctivity increased 10-fold. The cbh1 promoter was not expressed on gluc ose and sucrose in T. harzianum and was induced by sophorose and on ce llulase-inducing medium. The endogenous endochitinase gene was express ed at a low basal level on glucose and sucrose. No specific induction by crab shell chitin or sophorose was observed.