HCf-6, a novel class II hydrophobin from Cladosporium fulvum

C. fulvum, a fungal tomato pathogen, has previously been shown to express a complex family of hydrophobin genes including four class I hydrophobins an d one class II hydrophobin. Here we describe a gene for HCf-6, a sixth memb er of the hydrophobin family and the second class II gene. The protein is p redicted to consist of a signal sequence, an N-terminus rich in glycine and asparagine and a C-terminal hydrophobic domain which bears the hall-marks of hydrophobins. In contrast to the previously described class II hydrophob in HCf-5, HCf-6 is expressed in mycelium growing in pure culture and mRNA l evels do not increase during sporulation. It is downregulated by carbon sta rvation but not by depletion of nitrogen in the growth medium.