Characterization of an Aspergillus flavus alkaline protease and its role in the infection of maize kernels
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-22-2009
Abstract
A 33kDa protein present in Aspergillus flavusinfected maize embryo was identified as a fungal alkaline protease (ALP). This protein became one of the major extracellular proteins of A. flavus in potato dextrose broth medium culture filtrate after 3 days, but was expressed at low levels or undetectable in AM medium containing gelatin or starch, respectively. The activity of purified ALP was significantly inhibited in the presence of 0.5mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), or 1.43μμ (200μg/ml) maize 14kDa trypsin inhibitor. Further study demonstrated that reduction of this ALP by PMSF also significantly reduced the level of aflatoxin accumulation in A. flavus culture, suggesting an important role for ALP in the infection of maize kernels and subsequent aflatoxin accumulation. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Toxin Reviews
First Page
187
Last Page
197
Recommended Citation
Chen, Z., Brown, R., Cary, J., Damann, K., & Cleveland, T. (2009). Characterization of an Aspergillus flavus alkaline protease and its role in the infection of maize kernels. Toxin Reviews, 28 (2-3), 187-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/15569540903089221