Chitinase modifying proteins from phylogenetically distinct lineages of Brassica pathogens

Chitinase modifying proteins, cmps, are secreted fungal proteases that truncate specific plant class IV chitinases by cleaving peptide bonds in their amino termini. We recently identified a cmp from the Zea mays (maize) pathogen Fusarium verticillioides and found that it is a member of the fungalysin class of proteases. We also found that Alternaria brassicae, a pathogen of the mustard plant family Brassicaceae, secretes a protease with the same...