Subcellular localization of enzymes inStreptomyces aureofaciens and its alteration by benzyl thiocyanate

Mycelia of a low- and a high production strain ofStreptomyces aureofaciens were converted into protoplasts and divided into five subcellular fractions in order to localize exopolyphosphatases (EC 3.6.1.11), triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.25), inorganic diphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.1), apyrase (EC 3.6.1.5) and glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2). The highest specific activity of enzymes hydrolyzing polyphosphates was found in cytoplasmic vesicles and membranes. Triphosphatase was detected in the periplasmic fraction. Periplasmic vesicles and cytoplasm exhibited a high activity of diphosphatase. Apyrase was found mainly in the fractions of membranes and cytoplasmic vesicles. Glucokinase was a cytoplasmic enzyme. The enzymes were released from membrane structures into cytoplasm or periplasmic space if benzyl thiocyanate (10 μm) was present in the growth medium.