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Branching of the coenocytic hyphae in the water mold Achlya ambisexualis Raper is always accompanied by a rise in cellulase activity. Branching and the cellulase response can be induced either by the sexual hormone atheridiol or by casein hydro‐lysate. Only those strains which branch in response to the inducer show a concomitant rise in cellulase. The peak of induced mycelial cellulase corresponds in time with the appearance of branch primordia.

Sexual hormone A, which induces antheridial branching in male strains of Achlya, also elicits a rise in cellulase. The peak of induced cellulase corresponds in time with the appearance of branches that are the male sexual organ primordia; only those strains that branch in response to the hormone show a concomitant rise in cellulase. The response to the hormone is inhibited by compounds that block protein synthesis, for example, p-fluorophenylalanine and puronmycin. Vegetative branching, induced by substrates such as casein hydrolysate, is also accompanied by a rise in cellulase.