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Degradation of keratinous materials by the plant pathogenic fungus Myrothecium verrucaria

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Abstract

In this paper it is described for the first time the capability of Myrothecium verrucaria to grow in submerged and solid state cultures using poultry feathers as the only substrate. The fungus produced a protease with an unusual keratinolytic activity among plant pathogenic fungi. Its crude protease hydrolyzed keratinous substrates at pH 9.0 and 40 °C in the following order: poultry feather keratin > sheep wool keratin > human nail keratin > human hair keratin. Protease activity was highly sensitive to phenylmethyl sulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) indicating that the enzyme belonged to the serine protease family.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, 87020-900, Maringa, PR, Brazil

    F. G. Moreira, M. A. F. Costa, S. Reis & R. M. Peralta

  2. Department of Agronomy, State University of Maringá, Maringa, PR, Brazil

    C. G. M. de Souza

Authors
  1. F. G. Moreira
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  2. C. G. M. de Souza
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  3. M. A. F. Costa
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  4. S. Reis
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  5. R. M. Peralta
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Correspondence to R. M. Peralta.

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Moreira, F.G., de Souza, C.G.M., Costa, M.A.F. et al. Degradation of keratinous materials by the plant pathogenic fungus Myrothecium verrucaria . Mycopathologia 163, 153–160 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-007-0096-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-007-0096-3

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