Subcellular distribution of marker enzymes in cells of a minute fungus, Fusidium sp. 100-3

Abstract

An electron microscope cytochemical technique was used to determine the subcellular distribution of marker enzymes in Fusidium sp. 100-3 cells. Nucleoside diphosphatase was found in the nuclear envelope and intracytoplasmic membrane segment. Thiamine pyrophosphatase was found to be associated with the mesosomes. Cytochrome c (oxidase) activity was found only in the mitochondrial cristae. Strong alkaline phosphatase activity was present in the vacuole; in addition, the enzyme activity was discretely dispersed throughout the cytoplasm without any association with any membrane material. The overall characteristics of the cell ultrastructure and subcellular enzyme distribution of Fusidium sp. 100-3 cells compare fairly well with those of a fungal cell. But there are considerable differences from the characteristics of higher eucaryotic cells. Detailed data on the marker enzymes distribution in a variety of fungal cells are not available. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude whether the marker enzyme distribution of Fusidium sp. 100-3 cells is unique or is typical of any fungal organism. Detailed studies of cell ultrastructure of and marker enzyme distribution in minute fungal cells and their comparison to the ultrastructure of and marker enzyme distribution in other fungal organisms may be helpful in understanding the phylogenetic and ontogenic development of subcellular organelles.