Characterization of a unique polysaccharide monooxygenase from the plant pathogen .

Blast disease in cereal plants is caused by the fungus and accounts for a significant loss in food crops. At the outset of infection, expression of a putative polysaccharide monooxygenase (PMO9A) is increased. PMO9A contains a catalytic domain predicted to act on cellulose and a carbohydrate-binding domain that binds chitin.