Cerato-platanin, an hydrophobin-like protein, is rapidly released in culture by Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. platani.

Cerato-platanin (CP) is a recently described protein released in culture by Ceratocystis fimbriata f.sp. platani (Cfp), the causal agent of the plane canker stain disease. CP has more than one significant role in the plant-Cfp interaction. CP is secreted in the liquid medium after the first days of culture and causes rapid wilting of plane cuttings. Few nanomoles of protein elicit the synthesis of umbelliferone-like phytoalexins in plane leaves. CP has been detected more abundantly on surfaces of Cfp aerial mycelium than on hyphae submerged, and seems to be involved in the adhesion of Cfp conidia to wood chips during pruning. Moreover, CP induces necrosis of tobacco leaf mesophyllum cells and synthesis of the glyceollin phytoalexin in treated soybean cotyledons.