A NOVEL FUNGAL PROTEASE EXPRESSED IN ENDOPHYTIC INFECTION OF POA SPECIES

The fungus Acremonium typhinum produces a novel endoprotease during sy mbiotic endophytic infection of the grass, Poa ampla. This protease is unusual because it is highly active in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme is a thiol-containing serine protease and is loca lized to a crude membrane fraction. Similar protease activity has been detected in endophyte-infected Poa autumnalis and Poa sylvestris plan ts. Expression of this protease may be important in endophytic infecti on of Poa spp., because similar activity has not been detected in endo phyte-infected Festuca arundinacea or Lolium perenne.