Trisporic Acid Biosynthesis in Blakeslea trispora via Mating Type-specific Precursors

Abstract

Separate (+) and (-) mating type cultures of Blakeslea trispora synthesized: (a) labeled trisporic acid B and trisporic acid C when incubated with labeled, partially purified extracts isolated from opposite mating type cultures; (b) unlabeled trisporic acids when incubated with labeled glucose and unlabeled extracts isolated from opposite mating type cultures; and (c) over 100-fold less trisporic acids when incubated with labeled extracts isolated from the same mating type cultures. Thus, separate (+) and (-) cultures synthesize mating type-specific precursors of trisporic acids.