Surmmary The autolysis of mature fruiting bodies of Coprinus lagopus is caused by the degradation of cell walls. This process is accomplished by the action of chitinases which are newly formed shortly before spore release begins. Chitinase activity is localized intracellularly in vacuoles together with other hydrolytic enzymes. It is released into the wall upon cessation of metabolic activity in senescing gills.
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Iten et al. (1970) studied this question.