DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSES OF WOOD-ROT FUNGI CELLULASES TOWARDS POLYCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST TRICHODERMA-VIRIDE CELLOBIOHYDROLASE-I

Cellobiohydrolase (CBH) I, a main component of Trichoderma extracellul ar protein, was purified to an electrophoretically homogeneous state f rom a commercial cellulase preparation (Meicelase from T. viride) by c olumn chromatography on anion and cation exchangers. The difference in the cross-reactivity of cellulolytic enzyme systems of brown-rot and white-rot fungi with the polyclonal antibodies to the CBH I was studie d by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antibodies were ob served to react quantitatively and with great sensitivity with the ant igen (CBH I), and at the same time to cross-react to some extent with T. viride cellulase components other than the CBH 1. Nevertheless, the intensity of cross-reactivity of wood-rot fungi cellulases with the a ntibodies was parallel to the activity of exo-1,4-beta-glucanase. The cellulase system from brown-rot fungi, believed to lack exo-1,4-beta-g lucanases, gave a negative response towards the antibodies. These resu lts suggested the presence of some homologous sequences and structures with the T. viride CBH I in the enzymes of white-rot fungi and their absence in those of brown-rot fungi.