title: Characterization, cloning, and heterologous expression of a subtilisin-like serine protease gene VlPr1 from Verticillium lecanii.
abstract: The entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii is a well-known biocontrol agent. V. lecanii produces subtilisin-like serine protease (Pr1), which is important in the biological control activity of some insect pests by degrading insect cuticles. In this study, a subtilisin-like serine protease gene VlPr1 was cloned from the fungus and the VlPr1 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. The VlPr1 gene contains an open reading frame (ORF) interrupted by three short introns, and encodes a protein of 379 amino acids. Protein sequence analysis revealed high homology with subtilisin serine proteases. The molecular mass of the protease was 38 kDa, and the serine protease exhibited its maximal activity at 40°C and pH 9.0. Protease activity was also affected by Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) concentration. The protease showed inhibitory activity against several plant pathogens, especially towards Fusarium moniliforme.
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, PR China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jin-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li-Qin
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xue-Liang
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shi-Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D015870:Gene Expression; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D055550:Protein Stability; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D057057:Serine Proteases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D020860:Subtilisin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020172:Verticillium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D057057:Serine Proteases; D020860:Subtilisin