Biomaterial Database

Localization of alkaline phosphatase activity at microbody membranes of Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans. 1986

A M Fiskin, and R G Garrison, and M Figueroa

Hyphal cells of Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans, grown in Sabouraud glucose broth or in a defined medium with xanthine or its catabolites as the nitrogen source, contained single membrane-bound organelles cytochemically identified as microbodies. Modified Gomori procedures at the ultrastructural level revealed putative alkaline phosphatase activity sites in thin sections of cells of both species of fungi. Microbody membranes displayed electron opaque deposits (lead phosphate) which were absent in control preparations either lacking the substrate (beta-glycerophosphate) or the lead capture ion. Inhibition of this enzymic activity was achieved in parallel incubations fortified with the inhibitor levamisole. Cells grown in media containing limiting levels of inorganic phosphate revealed additional alkaline phosphatase activity at and along the nuclear membrane and endoplasmic cisternae. Hexagonal inclusions found in the cytoplasm of N. crassa (but not A. nidulans) and believed to arise from microbody precursors were without demonstrable cytochemical staining for microbody marker oxidases.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007425	Intracellular Membranes	Thin structures that encapsulate subcellular structures or ORGANELLES in EUKARYOTIC CELLS. They include a variety of membranes associated with the CELL NUCLEUS; the MITOCHONDRIA; the GOLGI APPARATUS; the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM; LYSOSOMES; PLASTIDS; and VACUOLES.	Membranes, Intracellular,Intracellular Membrane,Membrane, Intracellular
D008830	Microbodies	Electron-dense cytoplasmic particles bounded by a single membrane, such as PEROXISOMES; GLYOXYSOMES; and glycosomes.	Glycosomes,Glycosome,Microbody
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009491	Neurospora	A genus of ascomycetous fungi, family Sordariaceae, order SORDARIALES, comprising bread molds. They are capable of converting tryptophan to nicotinic acid and are used extensively in genetic and enzyme research. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Neurosporas
D009492	Neurospora crassa	A species of ascomycetous fungi of the family Sordariaceae, order SORDARIALES, much used in biochemical, genetic, and physiologic studies.	Chrysonilia crassa
D006651	Histocytochemistry	Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods.	Cytochemistry
D000469	Alkaline Phosphatase	An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an orthophosphoric monoester and water to an alcohol and orthophosphate. EC 3.1.3.1.
D001233	Aspergillus nidulans	A species of imperfect fungi from which the antibiotic nidulin is obtained. Its teleomorph is Emericella nidulans.	Aspergillus nidulellus,Emericella nidulans