An improved method for the production of Neurospora crassa spheroplasts and a new method for measuring transport in fragile cells

An improved method for the production of Neurospora spheroplasts and a procedure for measuring transport by these fragile structures are described. Using these techniques, the activity of the glucose active transport system in spheroplasts has been measured. The results indicate that removal of the Neurospora cell wall does not affect the activity of this transport system. In light of this finding, it is unlikely that soluble periplasmic components play a role in the glucose active transport system of Neurospora.