An easy way of obtainingAspergillus nidulanshaploids in the parasexual cycle usingN-glycosyl polifungin

Abstract

SUMMARYA considerable improvement in the selection of haploids inAspergillus nidulansis described. Haploidization is used to assign genes to linkage groups (chromosomes) in fungi. The differential effect of a polyene antibiotic,N-glycosyl-polifungin, in respect to haploids and diploids, was utilized. In minimal medium only diploids (constructed from a ‘Master Strain’ and the investigated strain), which are fully heterozygous and thus have no growth requirements, germinate and are killed by the antibiotic. However, auxotrophic haploids, either induced or spontaneously formed, survive. These can then be used for linkage studies.