Comparative electrophoretic study of proteins of Acremonium-like hyphomycetes

Abstract

A comparison was made of three electrophoresis methods as applied to taxonomy of Acremonium -like Hyphomycetes. Salt soluble protein patterns obtained by disc electrophoresis and stained for total protein were unsuitable as taxonomic criteria. Acid-phenol electrophoresis of whole cells solubilized with phenol-acetic acid-water (2:1:0.5 w/v/v) provided characteristic total protein patterns. Comparisons of pairs of extracts run on single gels (split gels) showed many identical acid-phenol protein patterns. The 90 strains examined by this method were assigned to 13 groups on this basis. The majority (88 %) were accommodated within 4 groups while the remaining 11 strains occupied 9 minor groups. The relationship of these groups to Acremonium Lk ex Fr. is discussed. Consideration was given to factors affecting the reproducibility of acid-phenol protein patterns. The major source of variation was identified as a product of different rates of polymerization of the polyacrylamide gel. Disc electrophoretic patterns stained for esterase or phosphatase activity offered some support for the grouping made on the basis of acid-phenol protein patterns.