MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN ISOLATES OF SERPULA-LACRYMANS

A range of isolates of Serpula lacrymans show identical molecular prof iles by Western Blotting or lectin staining. One isolate, BF-050, show ed differences in silver stained protein profiles from old mycelium bu t profiles from young mycelium of BF-050 were identical to the type st rain of S. lacrymans FPRL 12C. Both S. lacrymans and the related organ ism, Serpula himantoides, shared different profiles for old and young mycelium confirming that growth phase antigens/proteins are not limite d to S. lacrymans. Lectin staining profiles could distinguish between S. lacrymans FPRL 12C, BF-015B, S. himantoides and all other basidiomy cete organisms tested. Differences between strains of S. lacrymans inc luding BF-050, were not apparent.