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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280305
Title: Biochemistry of plant class IV chitinases and fungal chitinase-modifying proteins

Author
item Naumann, Todd
item Wicklow, Donald
item Price, Neil

Submitted to: American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2012
Publication Date: 7/24/2012
Citation: Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T., Price, N.P. 2012. Biochemistry of plant class IV chitinases and fungal chitinase-modifying proteins. American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant class IV chitinases have 2 domains, a small (3 kDa) amino-terminal domain with homology to carbohydrate binding peptides, and a larger (25 kDa) catalytic domain. The biological function of these chitinases is not known. But it is known that some pathogenic fungi secrete chitinase modifying proteins (cmps), proteases that remove the small domain from the catalytic domain by cleaving specific peptide bonds. To gain insight into the biological function of class IV chitinases, we are studying their biochemical activities. We are particularly interested in understanding the function of the small domain–it is not necessary for catalysis–and why fungal proteases remove it. In addition to biochemical studies on the plant chitinases, we are conducting a survey of fungal pathogens of plants to determine which fungi secrete cmps. We hope that this survey of diverse plant pathogens will help us understand the evolution of cmps and determine which plant diseases are promoted by their activity.