Sexual morphogenesis in Achlya: ultrastructural basis for the hormonal induction of antheridial hyphae.

Male strains of the water mold Achlya ambisexualis produce antheridial hyphae in response to the steroid hormone antheridiol. The antheridial hypha is postulated to be initiated through a localized wall softening with the enzyme cellulase. Freeze-etch studies of hormone-treated hyphae were conducted to determine if aggregates of vesicles are induced at the location of new antheridial hyphae. Localized aggregates of vesicles were found in conjunction with areas of wall thinning. These data suggest that the processes of vesiculation and secretion provide a mechanism for concentration of cellulase at the site of initiation of antheridial hyphae.