A trypsin inhibitor from wheat kernel (WTI) was found to have a strong anti
fungal activity against a number of pathogenic fungi and to inhibit fungal
trypsin-like activity. WTI inhibited in vitro spore germination and hyphal
growth of pathogens, with protein concentration required for 50% growth inh
ibition (IC50) values ranging from 111.7 to above 500 mu g/ml. As observed
by electron microscopy, WTI determined morphological alterations represente
d by hyphal growth inhibition and branching. One of the fungal species test
ed, Botrytis cinerea produced a trypsin-like protease, which was inhibited
by the trypsin inhibitor. WTI, as well as other seed defence proteins, appe
ar to be an important resistance factor in wheat kernels during rest and ea
rly germination when plants are particularly exposed to attack by potential
soilborne pathogens.