Major sclerotial polypeptides of psychrophilic pathogenic fungi: Intracellular localization and antigenic relatedness

Summary Major sclerotial polypeptides from the psychrophiles,Myriosclerotinia borealis (W 51),Coprinus psychromorbidus (LRS 131),Typhula idahoensis (W 21), andTyphula incarnata (W 21) were purified by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroelution. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against these major sclerotial polypeptides. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the major sclerotial polypeptides from all four psychrophilic species were sequestered in discrete protein bodies of cultured and field-grown sclerotia. Western blot analysis indicated that all antisera reacted positively with their respective antigens, the major sclerotial polypeptides. Reciprocal immunological cross-reactions were observed between the major sclerotial polypeptides ofM. borealis (W 51) andT. idahoensis (W 21). Antiserum to the major sclerotial polypeptides of bothM. borealis andT. idahoensis also recognized the major sclerotial polypeptides ofC. psychromorbidus (LRS 131). It is suggested that the major sclerotial polypeptides of these psychrophilic plant pathogens may act as storage proteins.Abbreviations W 51 Myriosclerotinia borealis (W 51) - LRS 131 Coprinus psychromorbidus (LRS 131) - W 21 Typhula idahoensis (W 21) - W 29 Typhula incarnata (W 29) - anti W 51 antiserum to the major sclerotial polypeptide ofM. borealis W 51 - anti LRS 131 antiserum to the major sclerotial polypeptides ofC. psychromorbidus (LRS 131) - anti W 21 antiserum to the major sclerotial polypeptides ofT. idahoensis (W 21) - anti W 29 antiserum to the major sclerotial polypeptides ofT. incarnata (W 29) - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate - kDa kilodalton - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - HRP horseradish peroxidase - PBS phosphate buffered saline - TBS Tris buffered saline - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate