[Effect of lysozyme, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, magnesium and mannittol on spheroplast formation in Anacystis nidulans]

Three periods (the lag period and periods of intensive and decelerated spheroplast formation) can be detected in the action of lysozyme on the cells of Anacystis nidulans; this seems to be due to peculiarities in the cell wall structure of the cyanobacterium and heterogeneity of the culture. EDTA at concentrations of 0.175--0.7 mM has effect on the duration of the lag period but increases the rate of spheroplast formation during the subsequent periods. However, the action of EDTA in complex with lysozyme for 3 hours causes lysis of some of the spheroplasts being formed. The concentration of mannitol below 0.4 M decreases the yield of spheroplasts. The level of intact spheroplasts prepared from A. nidulans suggests that at least part of them is capable of reversing into whole cells.