| abstract |
A DNA sequence comprising the sugar beet chitinase 4 DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.1 or an analogue or subsequence thereof is disclosed. The polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence, also termed the sugar beet chitinase 4 enzyme, has a high antifungal activity due to a bifunctional catalytic activity (i.e. a chitinase and a lysozyme activity) which makes the enzyme highly effective in inhibiting the growth of chitin-containing fungi. An even improved antifungal effect is obtained when the sugar beet chitinase 4 enzyme is used in combination with other pathogenesis related proteins, especially in combination with a second different chitinase and a beta -1,3-glucanase. A preferred use of the DNA sequence disclosed herein, optionally in combination with DNA sequences encoding other pathogenesis related proteins, is in the construction of genetically transformed plants, especially genetically transfrmed sugar beet plants, having an increased resistance to chitin-containing fungi as compared to untransformed plants. |