A Comparison of Polypeptides from Teliospores of Tilletia controversa (Kuhn) and Tilletia tritici (Bjerk) Wint.

Teliospores from 12 races of Tilletia tritici (Bjerk.) Wint. and twelve isolates of Tilletia controversa (Kuhn) were sampled from field-inoculated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differential cultivars. Proteins were extracted from the teliospores and analysed by one dimensional electrophoresis. An abundant 116 kD polypeptide detected in extracts from teliospores of all isolates of T. controversa was not detected in T. tritici teliospore extracts. Spores which were mechanically disrupted yielded greater quantities of the protein compared to intact teliospores, and this suggested the polypeptide was derived from within the teliospore. The presence of the polypeptide was correlated with dwarf bunt-causing Tilletia- Isolates of dwarf bunt-causing Tilletia that were intermediate between T. tritici and T. controversa in either morphology or germination characteristics contained the polypeptide while a common bunt-causing race of T. tritici (T18) with intermediate characteristics lacked the protein. The 116 kD polypeptide present in all T. controversa isolates may provide a stable biochemical marker for identification of these teliospores in wheat shipments.