Abstract: | The presence of multiple intracellular and extracellular proteolytic activities in trophophasic (nutrientrich) and idiophasic (carbon-or nitrogen-starved) cultures of the white-rot fungi Trametes versicolor and Phlebia radiata was demonstrated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels containing denatured haemoglobin as a substrate. In the trophophasic cultures of T. versicolor, seven electrophoretically distinguishable proteases were defined using mycelial extracts and six (three clear and three less intensive) of secreted proteases. For P. radiata eight bands of intracellular and five bands (one distinct and four less active) of extracellular proteolytic activities were detected. Gel electrophoresis revealed changes in patterns of secreted and mycelial proteinases upon carbon or nitrogen deprivation. The changes were seen both as an increase in activity of certain bands and as the appearance of new proteolytic bands. Specific activities of extracellular proteinases, assayed under idiophasic (—C or —N) conditions, increased 2—3 fold as compared to those upon nutrient sufficiency. These changes accompanied a shift to secondary metabolism and onset of ligninolytic activity. |