Differential effect of glucose and fructose on spore germination in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Abstract

Germination of isolated spores of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, measured by loss of refractility and of resistance to ethanol, was induced in a simple solution of glucose. The subsequent outgrowth steps (swelling and germ-tube formation), however, did not occur in the glucose solution. Normal outgrowth required almost all nutrients essential to vegetative growth. Germination was also induced by sucrose and mannose but only weakly by fructose. Glucose-germinated spores normally outgrew in the fructose-containing nutrient medium. Generation of CO2 from exogenous fructose by ungerminated spores was only 10% of that from exogenous glucose. These facts suggested that ungerminated spores were defective in the ability to utilize fructose and that germinated spores acquired this ability.