In this study, we compared the brown rot fungus Postia placenta (MAD-698 and ME-20) with the white rot fungus Schizophyllum commune (MAD-619) to determine the location and distribution of glucan synthetase. We also measured the soluble protein content in subcellular fractions obtained by differential centrifugation MAD-698 is a degradative isolate, but ME-20 and MAD-619 do not produce significant weight loss in wood. The solubilized enzyme glucan synthetase catalyzes the UDP [U-l4C] glucose to synthesize an insoluble linear 1,3-ß-D-glucan polymer. Glucan is a component of basidiomycete cell walls and hyphal sheath. The wood-degrader MAD-698 showed the most glucan synthetase activity in the mixed membrane fractions, and the nondegradative isolates ME-20 and MAD-619 had the most activity in the cytoplasmic fractions. In fact, glucan synthetase activity was found in different proportions in different particulate fractions of MAD-698, ME-20, and MAD-619. Treatment with a mixture of the detergents octylglucoside and CHAPS ( 3 -[(3-Cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulfonate) increased the glucan synthetase activity only in the cell wall fraction.

Download document (472 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document