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Basidiospore Germination in the Wood-destroying Fungus Lenzites saepiaria
Abstract
SUMMARY: Basidiospores of Lenzites saepiaria are not dormant and resemble vegetative mycelium in physiological properties and in the way they initiate outgrowth on a suitable substrate. Moistened spores respire significantly and autolyse in the absence of growth substrates; glucose, acetate or succinate are oxidized without lag. Optimal germinants, such as malt extract, allow outgrowth of 95% of the spores in 4 to 5 hr.
Studies with [14C]leucine, [3H]uridine, [3H]thymidine, [59Fe]FeCl3 and [32P]NaH2PO4 suggest that RNA and protein are synthesized at low rates which increase immediately after addition of a medium supporting germination; synthesis of DNA and Fe-porphyrins commences after approximately 2.5 hr. During germination and outgrowth, glucose is used primarily for synthesis of cellular material and little is converted to CO2. Glucose is initially utilized by the hexose monophosphate shunt and the Embden-Meyerhof pathway becomes active as outgrowth progresses. Exogenous organic acids are utilized primarily as sources of energy or membrane synthesis; CO2 evolution is high and incorporation of these substrates into cellular components is low. Much of the incorporation may involve the fixation of CO2 produced from substrate oxidation.
- Accepted:
- Published Online:
© Society for General Microbiology 1970