α-1,3 Glucan Synthesis Correlated with α-1,3 Glucanase Synthesis, Conidiation and Fructification in Morphogenetic Mutants of Aspergillus nidulans

Abstract

Summary: Nine mutants of Aspergillus nidulans differing in cleistothecia and/or conidia production were investigated. The strains were grown on four media with different levels of glucose (0.8, 3, and 4%) and nitrate (0.6 and 0.15%). The mycelia were analysed on the basis of the dry weight of the total mycelium and the alkali-soluble fraction (containing the α-1,3 glucan) as well as enzyme activities lytic to α-1,3 glucan, laminarin, and starch. Low quantities of α-1,3 glucan present on the third day are correlated with low α-1,3 glucanase activity and absence of cleistothecia formation on the sixth day. α-1,3 Glucan and cleistothecium formation seemed to be inversely related to conidiation.