Formation of O-Ethylhomoserine during the Controlled Production of Resistant Sporangia in Allomyces macrogynus

Abstract

Evidence is presented that O-ethylhomoserine which accumulates in the amino acid pools of A. macrogynus before the development of resistant sporangia is synthesized from homoserine and ethanol, the enzyme being produced in response to methionine deficiency. A requirement for suboptimal aeration in the development of the sporangia is accounted for by a need to produce ethanol from glucose. A. macrogynus has a limited ability to synthesize methionine and it is suggested that accumulation of O-ethylhomoserine inhibits this synthesis.