EcoTILLING in Cochliobolus sativus Isolates Reveals Polymorphisms in the XYL1 and XYL2

Xylanase (endo-1, 4-B-xylanases, EC 3.2.1.8) is a class of enzymes that are involved in the breaking down of hemicellulose. Nowadays, it has attracted special attention due to its potential applications in many processing industries [1]. In nature, plant pathogens use these and other enzymes to degrade plant cell walls. As such, characterization of xylanases and xylanase gene diversity has implications for plantpathogen interaction and disease control [2-4]. The ability to break down plant cell walls also has important applications for human endeavours such as in the paper making industry and more recently for the production of biofuels [5]. Although xylanases from eubacteria and archaebacteria have considerably higher temperature optima and stability than those of fungi, the amount of enzyme produced by these bacteria is comparatively lower than that produced by fungi [6-8].