Localization of acid and alkaline phosphatases in Myxococcus coralloides D

Myxococcus coralloides produces two different phosphatases, one acid and the other alkaline. Both enzymes were localized by physical and biochemical techniques. Spheroplasts from M. coralloides released 20-30% of the phosphatase activities. Osmotic shock or treatment with high MgCl 2 or LiCl concentrations did not produce a greater release. Cytochemical localization situated the phosphatases in the outer membrane and the periplasmic space. Separation of the cytoplasmic membrane and outer membrane of the cells by sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that phosphatases are located primarily in the outer membrane. membrane