ABSTRACT
The isolation of protoplasts from filamentous fungi has provided a novel approach to the study of the highly integrated morphological, biochemical, and physiological properties of the fungal hypha. This chapter explores and assesses the uses and effectiveness of protoplasts for biochemical research. The heterogeneity of isolated fungal protoplasts was first recognized in terms of morphology, with the fungus Phytophthora cinamomii. Aspects of fungal biochemistry and physiology have been investigated to advantage using protoplast systems. A proportion of protoplasts liberated from mycelium possesses the ability to regenerate a new wall. It is evident therefore that the biosynthetic machinery remains intact in these protoplasts. In many respects fungal protoplasts exhibit properties similar to those of the mycelium from which they are isolated, and a bulk protoplast preparation may be considered to be representative of the cytoplasm of living mycelium. There is also considerable evidence that the formation of protoplasts represents the sequential fractionation of mycelium.
