Fungus Coprinus Research Articles

Non-complementation and Recessiveness as Properties of Missense Suppressor Genes in the Fungus Coprinus

SUMMARY: Mutations in the acu-1 gene which lead to inability to use acetate as sole carbon source have been used to select recessive su+ gene mutations. Of five acu-1 alleles tested, two, designated acu-1–2 and acu-1–4, were suppressible. At least three different su + genes suppressed the acu-1–2 mutation and two su + genes suppressed the acu-1–4 mutation. All five su + mutations are completely allele specific and will only suppress the acu-1 mutation for which they were selected. On a glucose medium, where su + activity is not required for growth, presence of a su + gene depresses the growth rate. These two facts suggest that the su + genes act by causing translation errors. Although individually each su + gene is recessive in a su +/su - heterozygote, any two su + genes in a double heterozygote do not complement. Recessiveness and non-complementation are considered as properties of missense su + genes involving modified tRNA species and interpreted in terms of su + tRNA concentrations.

Electrophoretic Protein Spectra of Wild-type and Isogenic Monokaryons of Coprinus lagopus

In their early investigation o the means by which the incompatibility factors of the incompatibility actors of the tetrapolar basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune find physiological or biochemical expression, Raper & Esser (1961) stresse the need to use isogenic strains to minimize differences in proteins other than those attributable to the incompatibility system. Recently Wang & Raper (1969) have shown disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel to be valuable in investigating the protein spectra of various mycelial types of this fungus and have used their results to test the validity of a model for the model of action of the incompatibility factors. In a preliminary investigation of the applicability of disc electrophoresis to the examination of the proteins of the related fungus Coprinus lagopus sensu Buller, the method described was found to give good results. The advantage of using ‘isogenic’ strains of Coprinus is open to question.

Fine structure of meiotic chromosomes of the basidiomycete Coprinus lagopus

Supplementing earlier work with the light microscope, an electron microscopic investigation of meiosis in the basidiomycete fungus Coprinus lagopus has revealed the presence of a synaptinemal complex at the synaptic stage, comparable to that found in higher organisms. It is concluded that fungi may be more similar to higher organisms in the course of their meiosis and their mechanism of crossing over than has hitherto been thought.

Natural acetylenes. Part XIX. Metabolites from some Poria species

Nemotinic acid (I; RH) and nemotin (II) have been isolated from the culture media of Poria subacida, P. colorea, and P. mutans. P. subacida also yields methyl nemotinate (I; RMe).The ene-diyne hydroxy-acid (V; RH) has been obtained from P. selecta, and the all-trans-C12-tetraene diol (VI) from P. pearsonii. The latter compound is also elaborated by the fungus Coprinus flocculosus. Daedalea juniperina produces several polyenes, one of which has been identified as all-trans-decatetraenol (VII).