A 45-kDa chitinase purified from pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) shows antifungal activity

Protein extracts from seeds of various crop plants were tested against Trichoderma viride. Among them, seed extracts of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) was the most effective one in inhibiting the growth of T. viride in vitro. The highest chitinase activity was observed with pearl millet seed extract. Western blot analysis of protein extracts of pearl millet seeds using barley chitinase antiserum resulted in detection of a 30-kDa chitinase, whereas pearl millet florets constitutively expressed a 45-kDa chitinase. Puccinia penniseti infection and fungal elicitor treatment induced 45-kDa chitinase in pearl millet leaves. We have purified the 45-kDa chitinase from pearl millet florets using ammonium sulphate fractionation, chitin affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The purified chitinase inhibited the growth of Rhizoctonia solani and T. viride.