The present invention provides an isolated protein obtainable from a plant
source which has antifungal activity, specifically anti-Phytophthora
activity and/or anti-Pythium activity and a molecular weight of about
55-65 kDa as judged by SDS PAGE-electrophoresis, an isolated DNA sequence
comprising an open reading frame capable of encoding a protein according
to the invention, preferably characterized in that it comprises an open
reading frame which is capable of encoding a protein depicted in SEQ ID
NO. 16, SEQ ID NO. 57, SEQ ID NO. 70, SEQ ID NO. 72 or SEQ ID NO. 74 or
muteins thereof, and DNA capable of hybridizing therewith under stringent
conditions. The invention further comprises plants incorporating chimeric
DNA capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, and wherein
the protein is expressed. Also shown is the carbohydrate and preferably
hexose oxidating activity of said protein. Also methods are provided for
combating fungi, especially Phytophthora and Pythium species, using a
protein or a host cell capable of producing the protein.
