Abstract: The invention provides novel methods of controlling mite infestations of plants. The novel methods employ the step of applying an effective amount of a compound that can inhibit the proteolytic activity of trypsin and trypsin-like proteinase. Preferred compounds for use in the subject methods are Pefabloc SC, pentamidine, soybean trypsin inhibitor, lima bean trypsin inhibitor, and aprotinin.Another aspect of the invention is to provide formulations for use in applying to plants so as to control mites. The formulations comprise one or more inert carrier and a compound that can inhibit the proteolytic activity of trypsin. Preferred acaricidal compounds for use inclusion in the subject formulations are Pefabloc SC, pentamidine, soybean trypsin inhibitor, lima bean trypsin inhibitor, and aprotinin. Another aspect of the invention is to provide improved methods for the screening of compounds that have acaricidal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides fungicidal compounds having the general formula:X.sub.1 -A.sub.1 -B.sub.1 -C-B.sub.2 -A.sub.2 -X.sub.2 (I)wherein X.sub.1 is an amidine, a guanidine, or an imidazole group.A.sub.1 is either a five-membered aromatic ring, a six-membered aromatic ring, a fusion of two five-membered aromatic rings, a fusion of 2 six-membered aromatic rings, or a fusion of a six-membered aromatic ring and a five-membered aromatic ring;B.sub.1 is either O (oxygen) or absent; C is a straight chain alkyl comprising 1-8 carbons; B.sub.2 is either O (oxygen) or absent; A.sub.2 is either a five-membered aromatic ring, a six-membered aromatic ring, a fusion of two five-membered aromatic rings, a fusion of 2 six-membered aromatic rings, or a fusion of a six-membered aromatic ring and a five-membered aromatic ring; and X.sub.2 is an amidine, a guanidine, or an imidazole.

Abstract: The invention provides fungicidal compounds having the general formula:X.sub.1 -A.sub.1 -B.sub.1 -C-B.sub.2 -A.sub.2 -X.sub.2 (I)wherein X.sub.1 is an amidine, a guanidine, or an imidazole group.A.sub.1 is either a five-membered aromatic ring, a six-membered aromatic ring, a fusion of two five-membered aromatic rings, a fusion of 2 six-membered aromatic rings, or a fusion of a six-membered aromatic ring and a five-membered aromatic ring;B.sub.1 is either O (oxygen) or absent; C is a straight chain alkyl comprising 1-8 carbons; B.sub.2 is either O (oxygen) or absent; A.sub.2 is either a five-membered aromatic ring, a six-membered aromatic ring, a fusion of two five-membered aromatic rings, a fusion of 2 six-membered aromatic rings, or a fusion of a six-membered aromatic ring and a five-membered aromatic ring; and X.sub.2 is an amidine, a guanidine, or an imidazole.

Abstract: A gene, encoding an endocellulase from a newly isolated mesophilic Clostridium strain IY-2 which can digest bamboo fibers, cellulose, rice straw, and sawdust, was isolated by shotgun cloning in an E. coli expression plasmid pLC2833. E. coli positive clones were selected based on their ability to hydrolyze milled bamboo fibers and cellulose present in agar plates. One clone contained a 2.8 kb DNA fragment that was responsible for cellulase activity. Western blot analyses indicated that the positive clone produced a secreted cellulase with a mass of about 58,000 daltons that was identical in size to the subunit of one of the three major Clostridium cellulases. The products of cellulose digestion by this cloned cellulase were cellotetraose and soluble higher polymers. The cloned DNA contained signal sequences capable of directing the secretion of heterologous proteins from an E. coli host.