Ultrastructure and isolation of glyoxysomes (microbodies) in zoospores of the fungusentophlyctis sp.

Summary A correlative approach, involving light and electron microscopic, cytochemical, and biochemical techniques, was used to study the structure and function of microbodies in zoospores ofEntophlyctis sp. The same population of microbodies already existing in the zoosporangium appeared to be segregated into zoospore initials during cytoplasmic cleavage. Microbodies laid at the anterior end of zoospores and were part of an organized assemblage of organelles, the microbody-lipid globule complex. In the microbody-lipid globule complex, endoplasmic reticulum occurred on the surface of the lipid globules toward the zoospore's exterior, and the microbody, subtended by mitochondria, was appressed to the opposite surface of the lipid globule. The organization of the microbody-lipid globule complex changed as the zoospore swam and encysted. As lipid globules coalesced, the microbody-lipid globule complex became disorganized. After lipid globule coalescence was completed, the microbody-lipid globule complex regained its order, and several microbodies were clustered adjacent to a single lipid globule. The microbodies persisted even in the encysted zoospore, but they were found on all sides of the lipid globule.Microbodies isolated from zoospores contained catalase as well as malate synthase and isocitrate lyase, two enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle. When zoospores encysted greater activities of these glyoxylate cycle enzymes could be detected. The presence of glyoxylate cycle enzymes and the close association between the microbody and lipid globule suggest that microbodies function as glyoxysomes in zoospores and encysted zoospores. The functional significance of the morphological organization of the microbody-lipid complex is discussed in terms of energy production and the conversion of storage lipid into structural components of the cell.