title: Localization of beta-(1,3)-glucanase in the mycelium of Sclerotium rolfsii.
abstract: The role of the lytic enzyme beta-(1,3)-glucanase in cell wall synthesis and its distribution in the mycelium of the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii were studied. Enzyme activity was determined after enzyme extraction with Triton X-100 from a cell wall preparation. Specific zones of immunofluorescence appeared in the hyphal tips, clamp connections, new septa, and lateral branching when a specific antiserum was used with the indirect method of the fluorescent antibody staining. Enzymatic activity in the cell wall preparation was inactivated by diethylpyrocarbonate. However, 69% of the total enzymatic activity was present in a latent form which was not affected by the ester. This result suggests that most of the beta-(1,3)-glucanase was present along the hyphal cell walls in a "masked" form. An active enzyme appeared only in those regions which showed immunofluorescence. The activity of glucan synthetase, an enzyme essential for wall formation, was higher in the branching funus grown on L-threonine-supplemented synthetic medium than in the synthetic medium-grown fungus.
mesh_terms: D002473:Cell Wall / Q000201:enzymology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004693:Glucan Endo-1,3-beta-D-Glucosidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007527:Isoenzymes; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013214:Starch Synthase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D013214:Starch Synthase; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D004693:Glucan Endo-1,3-beta-D-Glucosidase