R-Glucanase Activity and Susceptibility of Hyphal Walls to Degradation in Mutants of Schizophyllum with Disrupted Nuclear Migration

Abstract

SUMMARYR-glucanase activities, and susceptibility of native-wall preparations to degradation by R-glucanase, were determined in strains of Schizophyllum commune with three different mutations that disrupt nuclear migration. These mutations, M I I , MI^, and Mi6 appeared to affect the susceptibility of the hyphal wall to R-glucanase but M I I and M15 also had an effect on the activity of R-glucanase. Both effects may be related to the stability of complex septa in these mutants and account for their specific mating behaviour.

Purification and Characterization of an Endo-(1,3)-β- d -Glucanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum

“…It is conceivable that the enzyme under study may be one which is involved in a morphogenetic role (e.g., acting in conjunction with 13-1,3-glucan biosynthetic enzymes for the synthesis of cell wall material [43]). Therefore, prior to the application of such an enzyme it is necessary to investigate the possibility of fungal cell disruption resulting from overproduction of the enzyme (44).…”

Purification and Partial Characterization of a Developmentally Regulated 1,3- -Glucanase from Penicillium italicum

“…However, data on their regulation and function are scarce. The fact that many /?-glucanase-producing fungi have P-glucans among the structural components of their cell walls has led to the hypothesis that some of these enzymes are involved in morphogenic-morpholytic processes during fungal development and differentiation (Wessels, 1966 ;Wessels & Koltin, 1972 ;Mahadevan & Mahadkar, 1970;Bartnicki-Garcia, 1973). Recent reports on their regulation and genetics (Friebe & Holldorf, 1975;Santos et al, 1978a, b;Rey et al, 1979) support the idea of diversity in /?-glucanase function so that, within the same organism, certain enzymes may be involved in cell wall dynamics, with others playing only a metabolic role.…”

Fungal Glucans — Structure and Metabolism

“…Although the mechanism and pattern of hydrolysis of the wall glucan are not known, the enzyme has a specificity for hydrolyzing (1 --+ 6)-f3-g1ucosidic linkages (WESSELS and NIE- DERPRUEM 1967, WESSELS 1969, WESSELS and KOLTIN 1972. (l--+6)-f3-Glucanase activity also occurs in extracts of Neurospora crassa and Trichoderma viride (DEL REY et al 1979), but it is possible that this may represent one activity of a nonspecific, exo-glucanase type enzyme as is found in yeasts .…”