c-AMP phosphodiesterase activity during growth and differentiation in Blastocladiella emersonii

Mitochondrial alternative oxidase is determinant for growth and sporulation in the early diverging fungus Blastocladiella emersonii

Blastocladiella emersonii is an early diverging fungus of the phylum Blastocladiomycota. During the life cycle of the fungus, mitochondrial morphology changes significantly, from a fragmented form in sessile vegetative cells to a fused network in motile zoospores. In this study, we visualize these morphological changes using a mitochondrial fluorescent probe and show that the respiratory capacity in zoospores is much higher than in vegetative cells, suggesting that mitochondrial morphology could be related to the differences in oxygen consumption. While studying the respiratory chain of the fungus, we observed an antimycin A and cyanide-insensitive, salicylhydroxamic (SHAM)-sensitive respiratory activity, indicative of a mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) activity. The presence of AOX was confirmed by the finding of a B. emersonii cDNA encoding a putative AOX, and by detection of AOX protein in immunoblots. Inhibition of AOX activity by SHAM was found to significantly alter the capacity of the fungus to grow and sporulate, indicating that AOX participates in life cycle control in B. emersonii.

Ectophosphatase activity in the early-diverging fungus Blastocladiella emersonii: Biochemical characterization and possible role on cell differentiation

Blastocladiella emersonii is an interesting model for studding the evolution of cell differentiation in eukaryotic cell because of its taxonomic position towards the base of the fungal phylogenetic tree and because it undergoes radical morphological and biochemical changes throughout its life cycle. In this work, we biochemically characterized a high alkaline phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity present on the cell surface (ectophosphatase) of B. emersonii. The ectophosphatase activity was strongly inhibited at acidic pH values as well as by specific phosphatase inhibitors, such as sodium orthovanadate and bpv-PHEN. In addition, the enzyme activity was modulated by the extracellular concentration of inorganic phosphate (P_i) present in both reaction mixture and culture medium. Phosphotyrosine was hydrolysed at the same extent of its analog, p-NPP, while the hydrolysis of phosphothreonine was 2-fold lower, suggesting that a phosphotyrosine ectophosphatase activity is present on the cell surface of B. emersonii. The ectophosphatase activity was also strongly inhibited by EGTA, indicating the participation of Ca²⁺ ions on catalysis. The hydrolysis of p-NPP was differentially regulated throughout the B. emersonii life cycle, suggesting that the ectophosphatase activity could be involved in cell differentiation processes. In support of this, the addition of bpv-PHEN or vanadate at the beginning of germination inhibited the differentiation of zoospores to germ cells, compared to control or tartrate-treated cells. On the other hand, if the inhibitors are added 15 or 30 min after initiation of germination the inhibitory effect on zoospore germination decreases significantly, suggesting that the phosphotyrosine ectophosphatase activity is important at the first minutes of germination. The addition of vanadate, molybdate and bpv-PHEN during vegetative growth inhibited the enlargement of the cells compared to control or tartrate-treated cells. Finally, vanadate or bpv-PHEN added during sporulation strongly inhibited zoospore biogenesis, indicating an important role of such ectophosphatases in this differentiation process. Taken together, these data show the existence of a high alkaline ectophosphotyrosine phosphatase activity in B. emersonii that is probably tied to cell differentiation processes of the fungus.

Evolutionary conservation of a core fungal phosphate homeostasis pathway coupled to development in Blastocladiella emersonii

The model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae elicits a transcriptional response to phosphate (P_i) depletion. To determine the origins of the phosphate response (PHO) system, we bioinformatically identified putative PHO components in the predicted proteomes of diverse fungi. Our results suggest that the PHO system is ancient; however, components have been expanded or lost in different fungal lineages. To show that a similar physiological response is present in deeply-diverging fungi we examined the transcriptional and physiological response of PHO genes to P_i depletion in the blastocladiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii. Our physiological experiments indicate that B. emersonii relies solely on high-affinity Na⁺-independent Pho84-like transporters. In response to P_i depletion, BePho84 paralogues were 4-8-fold transcriptionally upregulated, whereas several other PHO homologues like phosphatases and vacuolar transporter chaperone (VTC) complex components show 2-3-fold transcriptional upregulation. Since P_i has been shown to be important during the development of B. emersonii, we sought to determine if PHO genes are differentially regulated at different lifecycle stages. We demonstrate that a similar set of PHO transporters and phosphatases are upregulated at key points during B. emersonii development. Surprisingly, some genes upregulated during P_i depletion, including VTC components, are repressed at these key stages of development indicating that PHO genes are regulated by different pathways in different developmental and environmental situations. Overall, our findings indicate that a complex PHO network existed in the ancient branches of the fungi, persists in diverse extant fungi, and that this ancient network is likely to be involved in development and cell cycle regulation.

Transcriptional response to hypoxia in the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii

Global gene expression analysis was carried out with Blastocladiella emersonii cells subjected to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) using cDNA microarrays. In experiments of gradual hypoxia (gradual decrease in dissolved oxygen) and direct hypoxia (direct decrease in dissolved oxygen), about 650 differentially expressed genes were observed. A total of 534 genes were affected directly or indirectly by oxygen availability, as they showed recovery to normal expression levels or a tendency to recover when cells were reoxygenated. In addition to modulating many genes with no putative assigned function, B. emersonii cells respond to hypoxia by readjusting the expression levels of genes responsible for energy production and consumption. At least transcriptionally, this fungus seems to favor anaerobic metabolism through the upregulation of genes encoding glycolytic enzymes and lactate dehydrogenase and the downregulation of most genes coding for tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes. Furthermore, genes involved in energy-costly processes, like protein synthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, protein folding, and transport, had their expression profiles predominantly downregulated during oxygen deprivation, indicating an energy-saving effort. Data also revealed similarities between the transcriptional profiles of cells under hypoxia and under iron(II) deprivation, suggesting that Fe(2+) ion could have a role in oxygen sensing and/or response to hypoxia in B. emersonii. Additionally, treatment of fungal cells prior to hypoxia with the antibiotic geldanamycin, which negatively affects the stability of mammalian hypoxia transcription factor HIF-1alpha, caused a significant decrease in the levels of certain upregulated hypoxic genes.

Global gene expression analysis during sporulation of the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii

The Blastocladiella emersonii life cycle presents a number of drastic biochemical and morphological changes, mainly during two cell differentiation stages: germination and sporulation. To investigate the transcriptional changes taking place during the sporulation phase, which culminates with the production of the zoospores, motile cells responsible for the dispersal of the fungus, microarray experiments were performed. Among the 3,773 distinct genes investigated, a total of 1,207 were classified as differentially expressed, relative to time zero of sporulation, at at least one of the time points analyzed. These results indicate that accurate transcriptional control takes place during sporulation, as well as indicating the necessity for distinct molecular functions throughout this differentiation process. The main functional categories overrepresented among upregulated genes were those involving the microtubule, the cytoskeleton, signal transduction involving Ca(2+), and chromosome organization. On the other hand, protein biosynthesis, central carbon metabolism, and protein degradation were the most represented functional categories among downregulated genes. Gene expression changes were also analyzed in cells sporulating in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of glucose or tryptophan. Data obtained revealed overexpression of microtubule and cytoskeleton transcripts in the presence of glucose, probably causing the shape and motility problems observed in the zoospores produced under this condition. In contrast, the presence of tryptophan during sporulation led to upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress, proteolysis, and protein folding. These results indicate that distinct physiological pathways are involved in the inhibition of sporulation due to these two classes of nutrient sources.

Evidence of a Ca(2+)-(*)NO-cGMP signaling pathway controlling zoospore biogenesis in the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii

The sporulation stage of the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii culminates with the formation and release to the medium of a number of zoospores, which are motile cells responsible for the dispersal of the fungus. The presence in the sporulation solution of 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a potent and selective inhibitor of nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclases, completely prevented biogenesis of the zoospores. In addition, this compound was able to significantly reduce cGMP levels, which increase drastically during late sporulation, suggesting the existence of a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism for cGMP synthesis. Furthermore, increased levels of nitric oxide-derived products were detected during sporulation by fluorescence assays using DAF-2 DA, whose signal was drastically reduced in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nomega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). These results were confirmed by quantitative chemiluminescent determination of the intracellular levels of nitric oxide-derived products. A putative nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was detected throughout sporulation, and this enzyme activity decreased significantly when L-NAME and 1-[2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]imidazole (TRIM) were added to the assays. NOS assays carried out in the presence of EGTA showed decreased enzyme activity, suggesting the involvement of calcium ions in enzyme activation. Additionally, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) encoding putative guanylyl cyclases and a cGMP-phosphodiesterase were found in B. emersonii EST database (http://blasto.iq.usp.br), and the mRNA levels of the corresponding genes were observed to increase during sporulation. Altogether, data presented here revealed the presence and expression of guanylyl cyclase and cGMP phosphodiesterase genes in B. emersonii and provided evidence of a Ca(2+)-(*)NO-cGMP signaling pathway playing a role in zoospore biogenesis.

Global gene expression analysis during germination in the chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii

Blastocladiella emersonii is an aquatic fungus of the Chytridiomycete class. During germination, the zoospore, a motile nongrowing cell, goes through a cascade of morphological changes that culminates with its differentiation into the germling cell, capable of coenocytic vegetative growth. Transcriptome analyses of B. emersonii cells were carried out during germination induced under various environmental conditions. Microarray data analyzing 3,563 distinct B. emersonii genes revealed that 26% of them are differentially expressed during germination in nutrient medium at at least one of the time points investigated. Over 500 genes are upregulated during the time course of germination under those conditions, most being related to cell growth, including genes involved in protein biosynthesis, DNA transcription, energetic metabolism, carbohydrate and oligopeptide transport, and cell cycle control. On the other hand, several transcripts stored in the zoospores are downregulated during germination in nutrient medium, such as genes involved in signal transduction, amino acid transport, and chromosome organization. In addition, germination induced in the presence of nutrients was compared with that triggered either by adenine or potassium ions in inorganic salt solution. Several genes involved in cell growth, induced during germination in nutrient medium, do not show increased expression when B. emersonii zoospores germinate in inorganic solution, suggesting that nutrients exert a positive effect on gene transcription. The transcriptome data also revealed that most genes involved in cell signaling show the same expression pattern irrespective of the initial germination stimulus.

Transcriptome analysis in response to heat shock and cadmium in the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii

The global transcriptional response of the chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii to environmental stress conditions was explored by sequencing a large number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from three distinct cDNA libraries, constructed with mRNA extracted from cells exposed to heat shock and different concentrations of cadmium chloride. A total of 6,350 high-quality EST sequences were obtained and assembled into 2,326 putative unigenes, 51% of them not previously described in B. emersonii. To approximately 59% of the unigenes it was possible to assign an orthologue in another organism, whereas 41% of them remained without a putative identification, with transcripts related to protein folding and antioxidant activity being highly enriched in the stress libraries. A microarray chip was constructed encompassing 3,773 distinct ESTs from the B. emersonii transcriptome presently available, which correspond to a wide range of biological processes. Global gene expression analysis of B. emersonii cells exposed to stress conditions revealed a large number of differentially expressed genes: 122 up- and 60 downregulated genes during heat shock and 189 up- and 110 downregulated genes during exposure to cadmium. The main functional categories represented among the upregulated genes were protein folding and proteolysis, proteins with antioxidant properties, and cellular transport. Interestingly, in response to cadmium stress, B. emersonii cells induced genes encoding six different glutathione S-transferases and six distinct metacaspases, as well as genes coding for several proteins of sulfur amino acid metabolism, indicating that cadmium causes oxidative stress and apoptosis in this fungus. All sequences described in this study have been submitted to the GenBank EST section with the accession numbers EE 730389 to EE 736848.

Comparative expression analysis of members of the Hsp70 family in the chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii

Sequencing of a large number of expressed sequence tags from Blastocladiella emersonii revealed the presence of ten distinct putative members of the 70 kDa-heat shock protein (Hsp70) family in this fungus. The amino acid sequence deduced from eight of these cDNAs showed significant similarity to members of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp70 family, and the remaining displayed high sequence homology with hsp70 gene products from other organisms. The hsp70-3 gene was the most highly expressed at normal temperatures and was poorly induced during heat shock. Except for hsp70-4 and hsp70-6, all other hsp70 genes were induced to different degrees upon exposure of B. emersonii cells to heat shock, with hsp70-1 gene presenting the highest transcript levels. Phylogenetic analysis of complete B. emersonii putative Hsp70 protein sequences indicated that Hsp70-1 and Hsp70-3 corresponded to cytosolic proteins, whereas Hsp70-7 and Hsp70-9 are probably localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, respectively.

Gene discovery and expression profile analysis through sequencing of expressed sequence tags from different developmental stages of the chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii

Blastocladiella emersonii is an aquatic fungus of the chytridiomycete class which diverged early from the fungal lineage and is notable for the morphogenetic processes which occur during its life cycle. Its particular taxonomic position makes this fungus an interesting system to be considered when investigating phylogenetic relationships and studying the biology of lower fungi. To contribute to the understanding of the complexity of the B. emersonii genome, we present here a survey of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from various stages of the fungal development. Nearly 20,000 cDNA clones from 10 different libraries were partially sequenced from their 5' end, yielding 16,984 high-quality ESTs. These ESTs were assembled into 4,873 putative transcripts, of which 48% presented no matches with existing sequences in public databases. As a result of Gene Ontology (GO) project annotation, 1,680 ESTs (35%) were classified into biological processes of the GO structure, with transcription and RNA processing, protein biosynthesis, and transport as prevalent processes. We also report full-length sequences, useful for construction of molecular phylogenies, and several ESTs that showed high similarity with known proteins, some of which were not previously described in fungi. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression profile (digital Northern analysis) of each transcript throughout the life cycle of the fungus using Bayesian statistics. The in silico approach was validated by Northern blot analysis with good agreement between the two methodologies.

Structure, expression, and functional analysis of the gene coding for calmodulin in the chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii

The single calmodulin (CaM) gene and the corresponding cDNA of the chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii were isolated and characterized. The CaM gene is interrupted by three introns and transcribed in a single 0.7-kb mRNA species encoding a predicted protein 91% identical to human CaM. B. emersonii CaM has been expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with gluthatione S-transferase (GST) and purified by affinity chromatography and cleavage from the GST portion using a site-specific protease. In the presence of Ca(2+), B. emersonii CaM exhibited a shift in apparent molecular mass similar to that observed with bovine CaM and was able to activate the autophosphorylation of CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) from rat brain. CaM expression is developmentally regulated in B. emersonii, with CaM mRNA and protein concentrations increasing during sporulation to maximum levels observed just prior to the release of the zoospores into the medium. Both CaM protein and mRNA levels decrease drastically at the zoospore stage, increasing again during germination. The CaM antagonists compound 48/80, calmidazolium, and W7 were shown to completely inhibit B. emersonii sporulation when added to the cultures at least 120, 150, and 180 min after induction, respectively. All these drugs also inhibited growth and zoospore production in this fungus. The Ca(2+) channel blocker TMB-8 and the CaMKII inhibitor KN93 completely inhibited sporulation if added up to 60 min after induction of this stage, but only KN93 affected fungal growth. The data presented suggest that the Ca(2+)-CaM complex and CaMKII play an important role during growth and sporulation in B. emersonii.

An analysis of developmental timing in Blastocladiella emersonii sporulation

We propose a model of time regulation for the expression of the Blastocladiella emersonii sporulation phenotypes based on new methods (Soll, 1986) which analyse the effect of temperature on the rate limiting processes, i.e., "timers" of certain events during development. By using reciprocal shift experiments (transferring sporulating cells from 22 to 27 degrees C and vice versa) we characterized the timers of the phenotypes: septate zoosporangium, papillate zoosporangium, cleavage zoosporangium, and empty zoosporangium, considering the number of the components, sensitivity, duration, and the mutual dependency of each limiting factor. The timers for the first three phenotypes started at zero time of sporulation induction and acted in parallel. The fourth phenotype, empty zoosporangium, has a timer which appears to act sequentially to that of the papillate zoosporangium. We also studied the effects of polyoxin D, calcofluor white, and congo red on sporulation. The first drug prevents the appearance of the septate zoosporangium and the other two prevent the expression of the papillate zoosporangium. In spite of the morphological blockage, the zoosporogenesis proceeds, resulting in the formation of normal zoospores. These results are interpreted as additional evidence for the parallel model of control proposed here.

Developmental changes in translatable RNA species and protein synthesis during sporulation in the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii

Protein synthesis during sporulation in Blastocladiella emersonii is developmentally regulated as revealed using [35S]methionine pulse labeling and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A large increase in the synthesis of several proteins is associated with particular stages. A large number of basic proteins are synthesized exclusively during late sporulation. Changes in translatable mRNA species were also detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the polypeptides produced in a cell-free rabbit reticulocyte lysate primed with RNA prepared at different stages of sporulation. The synthesis of several proteins during sporulation seems to be transcriptionally controlled. Most of the sporulation-specific messages are not present in the mature zoospores.

Caffeine inhibition of aflatoxin production: mode of action

Evaluation of caffeine and a number of related methylxanthines indicated that the ability of the compound to inhibit growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus is highly specific and does not involve an inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. Supplementation of the culture medium with purine bases, nucleosides, and nucleotides suggested that the inhibition of fungal growth could be partially overcome by adenine or guanine but that the purines had little effect on the inhibition of aflatoxin production. Likewise, increasing the levels of trace minerals did not overcome the inhibition of toxin production. Electron microscopic evaluation of caffeine-treated and -untreated cultures indicated that the compound produced observable changes in the ultrastructure of the fungus.

[Variations in cyclic AMP level and specific activities of adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase during the cell cycle of an Actinomycete (author's transl)]

The variations in the concentrations of intra- and extracellular cyclic AMP and in he specific activities of adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) have been monitored in synchronized cultures of Nocardia restricta, a prokaryote belonging to the group of Actinomycetes. At the beginning of the cell cycle, during a first period of RNA and protein synthesis, there is an increasing synthesis of adenylate cyclase which can be suppressed in the presence of chloramphenicol or rifampicin. Simultaneously, the specific activity of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase decreases and the concentrations of intra- and extracellular cyclic AMP rise. After the end of DNA replication, during a second period of RNA and protein synthesis, the specific activity of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase increases; during the same time, the specific activity of adenylate cyclase and the level of intracellular cyclic AMP drop. It appears that the overall metabolism of cyclic AMP is coordinated so that the cyclic AMP level will be high at the beginning of DNA replication and will fall thereafter. The results are discussed in comparison with known data about the variations of cyclic AMP during the cell cycle of mammalian cells in cultures.

Changes in cyclic AMP binding and protein kinase activities during growth and differentiation of Blastocladiella emersonii

Multiple protein kinases in the water mould Blastocladiella emersonii are described. A cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase which prefentially phosphorylates casein remains unchanged during vegetative growth of the cells and in the two phases of differentiation: germination and sporulation. In contrast, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity and cyclic AMP binding components are induced during the sporulation.

Cyclic AMP-dependent and -independent protein kinases of the water mold, Blastocladiella emersonii

Protein kinase (ATP:protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate binding activities have been identified in zoospore extracts of the water mold Blastocladiella emersonii. More than 75% of these activities is found in the soluble fraction. Soluble protein kinase activity is resolved in three peaks(I, II and III) by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Peak I is casein dependent and insensitive to cyclic AMP. Peak II is histone dependent and cyclic AMP independent; this enzyme is inhibited by the heat-stable inhibitor from bovine muscle. Peak III utilizes histone as substrate and is activated by cyclic AMP.

Differential effects of manganese ions on Blastocladiella emersonii adenylate cyclase

Adenylate cyclase (ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1) activity in Blastocladiella emersonii is associated with particulate subcellar fractions. Solubilization after treatment with detergent suggests its localization in a membrane fraction of the zoospore homogenate. The enzyme specifically requires Mn2+ for activity and is not stimulated by NaF. The kinetic characteristics of substrate utilization by B. emersonii adenylate cyclase were investigated with various concentrations of ATP and Mn2+, and in the presence of inhibitors. Plots of enzyme activity versus the actual concentration of the MnATP2- complex give sigmoid curves. An excess of Mn2+ activates the enzyme at low concentrations of substrate and leads to a modification of the enzyme kinetics. The nucleotides 5'-AMP and GTP were shown to be competitive inhibitors of the enzyme. In addition, kinetic data, obtained under conditions in which an inhibitor (ATP) is added in constant proportion to the variable substrate (MnATP2-) concentration, produced reciprocal plots that were linear and intersecting to the right of the ordinate, and secondary replots that were hyperbolic. These kinetic patterns support a model in which: MnATP2- is the substrate; free Mn2+ is an activator at low substrate concentrations, but an inhibitor at high substrate concentrations; and free ATP is not an efficient inhibiyor (Ki greater than 1.10(-4) M).

Induction of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in Blastocladiella emersonii and its relation to cyclic AMP metabolism

Extracts of vegetative cells of Blastocladiella emersonii contain 5% or less of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in zoospore extracts. This difference in activity could be accounted for entirely by an increase in the differential rate of phosphodiesterase synthesis during sporulation, beginning after a lag period of about 60 min and extending for at least an additional 90 min into the 4-h sporulation process. To examine the relation between enzyme synthesis and cyclic nucleotide metabolicm, we determined the substrate specificity of phosphodiesterase synthesized during sporulation and partially purified from zoospores. Zoospore extracts contain two components, separable by gel filtration chromatography, with cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. The larger component accounts for 20% of the total activity and the smaller component for 80%. Both components show essentially an absolute substrate specificity for cyclic AMP among several cyclic purine and cyclic pyrimidine nucleotides tested. Nevertheless, we found no change in the total cyclic AMP content of sporulating cells before, during, or after enzyme activity increased. We speculate that some other component of cyclic AMP metabolism or function limits the rate of cyclic AMP hydrolysis in sporulating cells.

Characterization of an adenylyl cyclase activity in particulate preparations from epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi

Particulate preparations from epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi contain an adenylyl cyclase (ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1) which could be stored at --20 degree C and resisted 5 cycles of freezing and thawing over 10 days without significant loss of activity. The enzyme reaction strictly required Mn2+, had a pH optimum of 7.7 and was not inhibited or stimulated by NaF. Particles prepared in the presence of 10 mM Mn2+ or Mg2+ were 3--4 times more active than particles prepared in the absence of these cations. However, Mg2+ could not substitute for Mn2+ during enzyme assay nor did it enhance activity in the presence of saturating concentrations of Mn2+. The binary complex Mn - ATP2- was shown to be the true substrate for the adenylyl cyclase and free ATP was highly inhibitory. Plots of enzyme activity against equimolar concentrations of ATP - Mn gave sigmoid curves with n values in Hill plots ranging between 1.5 and 2.0. Excess Mn2+ activated the cyclase catalyzed reaction at low but not at high concentrations of ATP - Mn. In the presence of an excess of 1 mM Mn2+, which transforms 97% of the added ATP to productive Mn - ATP2- complex, the substrate saturation curve assumed a Michaelian pattern with an apparent Km =0.2 mM.

Esterase activity during the life cycle of Blastocladiella emersonii

Total esterase activity was measured in extracts on Blastocladiella throughout its life cycle by the degradation of alpha-naphthyl acetate. A fivefold incease in activity, apparently due to the synthesis of new enzymes, was found during sporulation.

Growth and differentiation of the water mold Blastocladiella emersonii: cytodifferentiation and the role of ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis

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Polyamines and ornithine decarboxylase activity during growth and differentiation in Blastocladiella emersonii

The activity of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17, L-ornithine carboxy-lyase) was determined during the life cycle of Blastocladiella emersonii. The specific activity of the enzyme was found to be low in the zoospores, to rise 20-fold during germination and early growth, to fall during growth and to rise again during sporulation. This rise in enzyme activity was shown to be dependent on protein synthesis. Putrescine levels, on a per mg of protein basis, paralleled the fluctuation found in ornithine decarboxylase activity. Putrescine and spermidine were the only polyamines found in extracts of B. emersonii.