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Protoplasts from Gibberella fujikuroi. Grenetta McKinstry Harris, Scientist I, Department of Fermentation Development, Chemical and Agricultural Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL 60064; Phytopathology 72:1403-1407. Accepted for publication 15 March 1982. Copyright 1982 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-72-1403.

Protoplasts from Gibberella fujikuroi were formed from early stationary-phase mycelia by treatment with β-glucuronidase. Protoplast formation was significantly enhanced by cysteine and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) included with the enzyme in osmotic medium. The enhancement by EDTA could be reversed with MgSO₄ or KCl. Preincubation of mycelia with thiol compounds such as glutathione, dithiothreitol, or mercaptoethanol also increased protoplast formation. Addition of chitinase with β-glucuronidase, EDTA, and cysteine after preincubation of mycelia with mercaptoethanol and EDTA yielded the greatest number of protoplasts. The latter treatment was also used to obtain protoplasts from G. fujikuroi microconidia and macroconidia.