Chitinase, DNA coding therefor and plants containing same

摘要

PCT No. PCT/EP94/02761 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 15, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 15, 1996 PCT Filed Aug. 17, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/05467 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 23, 1995There is provided a method for inhibiting growth and/or germination of a fungus, by contacting the fungus, or causing the fungus to be contacted with a composition including an effective amount of a pathogenesis-related protein occurring naturally in a plant. The protein has endochitinase activity, antifungal activity and a molecular weight of about 40 to 43 kDa as judged by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide electrophoresis. There is also provided a composition for inhibiting growth and/or germination of a fungus. The composition includes a pathogenesis-related protein occurring naturally in a plant. The protein has endochitinase activity, antifungal activity and a molecular weight of about 40 to 43 kDa as judged by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The composition also includes beta -1,3-glucanase in an amount sufficient to enhance the effectiveness of the composition in inhibiting the growth or germination of the fungus.