Purification and characterisation of the antigens of endophytic fungi isolated from Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea in New Zealand

Abstract

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on immunoglobulins produced against Acremonium loliae mycelium has been shown to specifically detect the Acremonium species endophytes of both Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea. The major antigen is the polysaccharide moiety of a high molecular weight protein lipopolysaccharide complex which can be purified from culture filtrates. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic protein profiles of the soluble antigens from different grass endophytes are distinctive and have been used to differentiate endophyte isolates which are serologically indistinguishable.

Keywords:

• Lolium perenne
• Festuca arundinacea
• Acremonium loliae
• Acremonium coenophialum
• endophyte
• ELISA
• enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
• antigen