RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Tripp, Matthew L. A1 Paznokas, John L.YR 1982 T1 Role of Amino Acids and Endogenous Protein in the Germination of Mucor racemosus Sporangiospores JF Microbiology, VO 128 IS 3 SP 485 OP 495 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-128-3-485 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB The role of amino acids as triggers of Mucor racemosus sporangiospore germination was investigated. No single amino acid was as effective as glucose or peptone at triggering germination induced by glucose or peptone was pH-independent, whereas germination induced by glutamate was pH-dependent. The composition of the free amino acid pool of M-spores (those unable to germinate on glutamate) was qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that of C-spores (those capable of germinating on glutamate) with the exceptions of hydroxyproline and methionine whose concentrations were several-fold higher in C-spores. Glutamate and leucine were taken up by germinating and non-germinating spores; however, significant protein synthesis occurred only in germinating spores. Spores not triggered by 3-O-methyl-d-glucose (M-spores) contained about one-half the protein of those triggered by 3-O-methyl-d-glucose (C-spores). C-spores initiated to germinate by 3-O-methyl-d-glucose decreased in total organic carbon and protein over a 6 h period: removal of the 3-O-methyl-d-glucose resulted in an immediate halt of protein degradation and spore swelling. These results suggest that protein is a major endogenous reserve in M. racemosus sporangiospores and that its turnover is a necessary event for glucose-triggered germination., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-128-3-485