Fungal Cellulases XXI. Induction of the Cellulase of Staghybotrys Atra

Abstract

The use of Modocoll M (ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose) as a soluble inducing agent for the cellulase of Stachybotrys atra is described. Some characteristics both of the kinetics of the induction and its inhibition have been determined. There is a lag period of 2·5 hr in the induction at 28°C for peptone-grown mycelium, and added sugars appear to be competitive with the inducer. These two characteristics have previously been noted as peculiarities in the induction of aryl ,a-glucosidase. The induction is also dependent on the continued presence of long-chain polymer. Inhibition experiments suggest that the normal processes of induced protein synthesis are operating in all other particulars, although the details of this inhibition are different from those observed in cellobiase induction. The way in which cellobiase and cellulase induction may be integrated during natural growth on cellulose is discussed.