Abstract
Soluble proteins from 34 isolates representing 16 species of the genus Phytophthora, collected from different geographic locations and host plants, when analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis, were resolved into 100 to 200 protein spots with different densities. Protein patterns differed markedly among different species and each species exhibited a distinctive and characteristic pattern. Although slight differences were occasionally observed in patterns of faintly-stained minor protein spots, those of densely-stained major protein spots were highly similar, if not identical, among isolates of the same species regardless of their geographic origin, original host plant, mating type, or virulence race. These results suggest that the two-dimensional electrophoretic patterns are species-specific and may be a useful measure to differentiate and identify species of the genus Phytophthora.
