Lysis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis by Zygosporium geminatum

Abstract

Zygosporium geminatum, isolated as a contaminant in a culture of the mycelial phaseof Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, was lethal to the latter organism. Its lytic action was due to exocellular α-1,3- and β-1,3-ghicanases which degraded the P. brasiliensis cell wall. The α-1,3-glucanase was more active at 30°C and the β-1,3-ghicanase at 23°C, each having pH 6·0 as its optimum.

Keywords:

• cell wall lysis
• glucanases
• Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
• Zygosporium geminatum