Isolation and partial characterization of collagenolytic enzyme from the mosquito-parasitizing fungus, Lagenidium giganteum

Biochemical activities of entomophagous fungi

This review is directed toward the study of the physiology and biochemistry of parasitic fungi on insects and stresses the usefulness and utility of these organisms from the standpoint of applied research and biotechnology. The review covers the principal contributions made by investigators toward elucidation of the infective mechanisms of the entomogenous fungi, and the various biochemical attributes of these organisms. The interplay of the various enzymes and associated biochemical substances which are involved in the infective process is discussed as well as the important studies of the peculiar physiology frequently associated with these microorganisms.

The extracellular acid phosphatase of the mosquito-parasitizing fungus Lagenidium giganteum

The mosquito-parasitizing fungus Lagenidium giganteum secreted a soluble acid phosphatase and beta-D-glucosidase into the growth medium. The acid phosphatase was isolated and purified to single component, and some of its physicochemical properties were determined. The enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of 5.6 in phthalate buffer with p-nitrophenyl phosphate and was temperature-inactivated at 55 degrees C. Enzyme activity seems to be limited to phenyl-phosphate substrates. A molecular weight of 42,800 was found and the amino acid content was also determined. A Km for p-nitrophenyl phosphate of 1.6 x 10(-7) M was found. The possible involvement of the enzyme in the infective process was discussed.