ISSN:
0192-253X
Keywords:
developmental mutants of Physarum
;
apogamic mutants
;
the amoebal-plasmodial transition
;
myxomycete genetics
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Genetics
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
In the heterothallic myxomycete Physarum polycephalum, uninucleate amoebae normally differentiate into syncytial plasmodia following heterotypic mating. In order to study the genetic control of this developmental process, mutations affecting the amoebal-plasmodial transition have been sought. Numerous mutants characterized by self-fertility have been isolated. The use of alkylating mutagens increases the mutant frequency over the spontaneous level but does not alter the mutant spectrum. Three spontaneous and 14 induced mutants have been analyzed genetically. In each, the mutation appears to be linked to the mating type locus. In three randomly selected mutants, the nuclear DNA content is the same in amoebae and plasmodia, indicating that amoebal syngamy does not precede plasmodium development in these strains. These results indicate that a highly specific type of mutational event, occurring close to or within the mating type locus, can abolish the requirement for syngamy normally associated with plasmodial differentiation. These mutations help define a genomic region regulating the switch from amoebal to plasmodial growth.
Additional Material:
1 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvg.1020010106
