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Fungal Lysosomes or Spherosomes. Charles L. Wilson, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701, Present address of senior author: the Shade Tree and Ornamental Plants Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Delaware, Ohio 43015; David L. Stiers(2), and George G. Smith(3). (2)(3)Research Assistant, and Graduate Student, respectively, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701. Phytopathology 60:216-227. Accepted for publication 29 August 1969. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-60-216.

Lysosomelike bodies in Ceratocystis fagacearum, Ceratocystis fimbriata, Fomes annosus, Agaricus campestris, Alternaria tenuis, Piptocephalis virginiana, and Mycotypha microspora reacted positively to the Gomori reaction for acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase, and deoxyribonuclease. These bodies fluoresced golden-yellow under ultraviolet light when stained with Nile blue, were visible in dark field, and appeared to be limited by a single membrane. When the lysosomelike bodies were injured prior to histochemical reactions in C. fimbriata, the reaction time was shortened, indicating the presence of a membrane. A well-defined, single membrane was seen in fine structure around lysosomelike bodies of C. fagacearum. Deoxyribonuclease and arylsulphatase were found concentrated in the haustorium of P. virginiana. Lysosomelike bodies play an essential role in the release of ascospores from the asci of C. fimbriata. The asci of C. fimbriata are unwalled, and there are two “ectoplasts” around the ascospores. It is concluded that fungi have lysosomes quite comparable to animal lysosomes, and it is suggested that the term “spherosome” be used synonymously with lysosome in fungi.