Identification and localization of calcium-dependent protease II in Neurospora crassa and Uromyces appendiculatus

The existence of Ca2+-dependent protease II in crude extracts of Neurospora crassa and Uromyces appendiculatus was demonstrated by immunoblotting usin g specific antibodies. In both extracts two immunoreacting bands were obser ved. The molecular mass of the major band in N. crassa corresponded to 37kD a, while that in U. appendiculatus was 43 kDa, similar to that previously r eported for Allomyces arbuscula. Immunofluorescence of the enzyme was predo minantly localized in the apical regions of germlings and growing hyphae, s uggesting a functional role for the enzyme in hyphal growth.