Segal, E., Department of Molecular Genetics, MIGAL Galilee Technological Center, PO Box 90000, Rosh Pina 12100, Israel
Yehuda, H., Department of Molecular Genetics, MIGAL Galilee Technological Center, PO Box 90000, Rosh Pina 12100, Israel
Droby, S., Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Wisniewski, M., Appalachian Fruit Research Station, USDA-ARS, 45 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, United States
Goldway, M., Department of Molecular Genetics, MIGAL Galilee Technological Center, PO Box 90000, Rosh Pina 12100, Israel

Lytic enzymes may have a role in the biological control of fungi. The yeast biocontrol agent, Candida oleophila, is an excellent subject to research this matter. In the present study, CoEXG1, which encodes for a secreted 1,3-β-glucanase, is the first gene to be cloned from C oleophila. It was isolated from a partial genomic library and analysed. Its open reading frame and putative promoter were expressed in baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The reading frame, expressed under the inducible GAL1 promoter, caused an increased secretion of β-glucanase, and the putative promoter region activated the lacZ reporter gene, to which it was fused. Sequencing analysis revealed that CoEXG1 carries the signature pattern of the 5 glycohydrolases family and has a putative secretion leader, as well as a high degree of identity to yeast 1,3-β-glucanases. The GenBank Accession No. of CoEXG1 is AF393806. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.