LOCALIZATION OF ACID AND ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASES IN MYXOCOCCUS CORALLOIDES-D

Myxococcus coralloides produces two different phosphatases, one acid a nd the other alkaline. Both enzymes were localized by physical and bio chemical techniques. Spheroplasts from M. coralloides released 20-30% of the phosphatase activities. Osmotic shock or treatment with high Mg Cl2 or LiCl concentrations did not produce a greater release. Cytochem ical localization situated the phosphatases in the outer membrane and the periplasmic space. Separation of the cytoplasmic membrane and oute r membrane of the cells by sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that phosphatases are located primarily in the outer membrane. membrane.