Changes in N-acetyl galactosaminoglycan deacetylase levels during growth of Neurospora crassa: effect of L-sorbose on enzyme production

The levels of N-acetyl galactosaminoglycan deacetylase in Neurospora crassa were determined at different stages of growth. The enzyme first appeared 2 4 h after inoculation. Deacetylase levels were increased by the presence of L-sorbose, a sugar which induces colonial growth of N. crassa. The effect of L-sorbose on deacetylase production, was also observed in the presence o f other carbon sources. Ammonium tartrate also increased deacetylase activi ty, but without provoking morphological changes. Apparently, the effect of these two substances on deacetylase production by N. crassa was associated to the presence of galactosamine polymers in the culture medium, rather tha n to the morphological change itself.