THE ROLE OF CARBOXYL PROTEINASE IN THE MATURATION OF BASIDIOSPORES OFLENTINUS-EDODES FRUITING BODIES

We found that carboxyl proteinase activity in the pilei of Lentinus ed odes Berk.) Sing. fruiting bodies increased during storage at 10-degre es-C. This occurred in all samples tested (6 strains). Increased numbe rs of basidiospores released from the fruiting bodies also were observ ed during the storage. The increase of the released basidiospores coin cided well with the increase of carboxyl proteinase activities of the fruiting bodies. In another experiment on the effects of S-PI (Pepstat in Ac) the carboxyl proteinase activity of fruiting bodies treated wit h S-PI (50 mug/ml) was about 50% of that of the control (stored withou t S-PI), and the number of basidiospores released decreased almost to zero. These results suggested the possible role of carboxyl proteinase in the maturation of basidiospores. We isolated and characterized the carboxyl proteinase in the pilei of the fruiting bodies enhanced duri ng storage. This enzyme showed pI 2.9 and great affinity for S-PI comp ared with the control enzyme having pl 4.2.