PLANT CHITINASE GENE AND USE THEREOF

摘要

A DNA sequence comprising the sugar beet chitinase 4 DNA sequence shown in Sequence 1 or an analogue or subsequence thereof is disclosed. The polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence, also termed the sugar beet chitanase 4 enzyme, has a high antifungal activity due to a hitherto unreported bifuncitoanl catalytic activity (i.e. a chitianase and a lysozyme activity) which makes the enzyme highly effective in inhibiting the growth of chitin-containing fungi. An even improved antifungal effect is obtained when the sugar beet sugar beet chitinase 4 enzyme is used in combination with other pathogenesis related proteins, especially in combination with a second different chitinase and a .beta.-1,3-glucanase. A preferred use of the DNA sequence disclosed hererin, optionally in combination with DNA construction of genetically transformed plants, especially genetically transformed sugar beet plants, having an increased resistance to chitin-contiaining fungi as compared to untransformed plants. 829540ab.001/LS/JKM/A12/1991 07 29