The effect of sorbose on metabolism and morphology of neurospora

Abstract

1. 1. In the presence of sorbose Neurospora grows with colonial morphology, fails to conidiate, and loses up to 60% of its dry weight after depletion of the glucose from the medium. 2. 2. After a long period of adaptation Neurospora metabolizes sorbose, apparently via sorbitol. It then grows well on sorbose, although still with colonial morphology. 3. 3. In the presence of sorbose Neurospora utilizes glucose less efficiently. Less dry weight and more CO 2 are produced, more O 2 is consumed per mg glucose used, and the incorporation of labelled glucose into cell-wall polymers and into trehalose is lower. 4. 4. This evidence suggests that the effects of sorbose on the growth and morphology of Neurospora involves a general metabolic disturbance resulting from a partial uncoupling of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation.