Novel Cellulases.

Abstract

The invention provides peptides having cellulase activity and exhibiting at least 40mino acid identity in the primary structure with the amino acid sequence shown in one of SEQ ID NO.'s 1, 2, 3 and 4 or comprising a series of at least 7 contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence shown in one of SEQ ID NO.'s 1, 2, 3 and 4. Said peptide corresponds to a nematodal peptide especially of a sedentary nematode (such as a cyst nematode or root-knot nematode) or part thereof. Antibodies against such peptides are valuable crop-protecting agents. Furthermore provided are nucleotide sequences encoding these peptides and expression systems comprising at least such a nucleotide sequence. The enzymic peptides are useful in the protection of plants against parasitic nematodes, and in the food and beverage industry, in paper or clothing industry or in waste treatment