Hyphal Tip Growth in Achlya. II. Subcellular Localization of Cellulase and Associated Enzymes

The isolation and characterization of cellulase-containing membranes of Achlya ambisexualis Raper was attempted by differential and density gradient centrifugations. Maximum cellulase activity was found at an isopycnic density of 1.19 g/cm3, although some activity was found at other densities. A similar distribution of activity was shown by IDPase, ATPase, UDPG transferase, and by sedimentable carbohydrate. The coequilibration and steady enrichment of these activities during purification suggests their presence in a single type of subcellular particle. It was not possible to identify clearly the particle(s) in question from isolated fractions by electron microscopy, but when compared with the cytochemical localization of carbohydrate and IDPase in intact hypha, cytoplasmic vesicles with 150-mm diameters seem to be likely candidates.