HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE RHIZOMORPH MERISTEM OF ARMILLARIA MELLEA

Histochemical studies disclose the presence of relatively large amounts of protein and nucleic acids in the apical region of the rhizomorph of Armillaria mellea. No specific center for the production of protein was noted, but nucleic acid studies suggest that RNA synthesis may be confined to a limited region of the rhizomorph tip. Intranuclear, crystalline protein bodies are present while selective fluorescent staining of DNA indicates that the relative amounts of that substance, per nucleus, may be quite small and may account for some of the difficulty in selective nuclear staining by more commonly employed methods. Large stores of glycogen in the area adjacent to the apical center and its apparent rapid turnover in that region implicates this polysaccharide as a participant in the differentiation of the primary medulla.