Hyphal cell wall structure of two species of Pythium.

Abstract

Hyphal cell walls were prepared by ultrasonication. Glucose was the only sugar detected in both species. Evidence was obtained indicating that the Pythium butleri Subram. glucan is beta 1,2-linked, and that the glucan of Pythium myriotylum Drechsler is beta 1,4-linked. Sixteen amino acids were detected in P. butleri cell wall hydrolysates. Four of these amino acids were absent from P. myriotylum preparations. Similar quantities of lipid were found in both species. The significance of these data for fungal classification is discussed.