ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2002
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2002 International Scholars Journals
Influence of carbon source on the expression of Cochliobolus carbonum xylan-degrading enzyme genes
Nyerhovwo J. Tonukari , *, John S. Scott-Craig and Jonathan D. Walton
Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.
Accepted 18 November 2002
Abstract
The expression of four Cochliobolus carbonum endo-1,4- -xylanase genes (XYL1, XYL2, XYL3, XYL4), and an exo-1,4- -xylosidase gene (XYP1) was studied following the growth of the fungus in minimal medium containing glucose, sucrose, xylose, xylan, pectin, or cellulose. The XYL1 and XYL2 genes were expressed only when the culture medium contained xylan or cellulose. Both XYL3 and XYL4 are induced by xylose and xylan, and XYP1 expression is induced by xylose, xylan, pectin and cellulose. None of these genes is expressed in glucose or sucrose media. The differential expression of these enzymes may provide means for the fungus to adapt to different conditions.
Key words: Cell wall degrading enzymes, Cochliobolus carbonum, xylan, xylanase.