Microbodies in Germinating Fern Spores: Evidence for Glyoxysomal Activity

Abstract
Enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, are active during the germination of spores of the fern Dryopteris filix-mas. Increases in activity of both enzymes are correlated with the breakdown of lipid reserves. The occurrence of these enzymes suggests that the microbodies previously described in these spores are glyoxysomes.