Cellulase production by the vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe

Abstract

summaryProduction of endoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) and exoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.91) enzymes was studied during penetration of the host and development of the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus, Glomus mosseae, in roots of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and onion (Allium cepa). Endo‐ and exoglucanase activities increase in VAM plants at the beginning of entry‐point formation and arbuscule development. No relationship was found between the number of vesicles and endo‐ and exoglucanase activities. Extracts from spores and external mycelium of G. mosseae had endo‐ and exoglucanase activities. Some of the cellulase activities detected in VAM roots were attributed to the fungus, since endoglucanase activity found in the external mycelium of G. mosseae and in mycorrhizal root extracts showed the same electrophoretic mobility.