Prevention of Fungal Infection of Plants by Specific Inhibition of Cutinase

Abstract

Specific antibodies prepared against cutinase from Fusarium solani pisi and diisopropylfluorophosphate, a potent inhibitor of this enzyme, prevented infection of the host (pea epicotyl) by this organism, without affecting the viability of the spores. This finding shows that enzymatic penetration of cuticle is involved in pathogenesis.