Chemotaxis of Allomyces gametes

Pommerville, Jeffrey C.

doi:10.1016/0014-4827(77)90042-8

Cited by 24 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Zoospores or female gametes, however, show no attraction to sirenin-containing wells (Fig. 17B) (237). This bioassay is a fast and efficient means of studying pheromone behavior in this species.…”

Section: Allomyces Macrogynus: a Model Homothallic Fungusmentioning

confidence: 86%

The Evolution of Sex: a Perspective from the Fungal Kingdom

Lee

et al. 2010

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev

323

344

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SUMMARY Sex is shrouded in mystery. Not only does it preferentially occur in the dark for both fungi and many animals, but evolutionary biologists continue to debate its benefits given costs in light of its pervasive nature. Experimental studies of the benefits and costs of sexual reproduction with fungi as model systems have begun to provide evidence that the balance between sexual and asexual reproduction shifts in response to selective pressures. Given their unique evolutionary history as opisthokonts, along with metazoans, fungi serve as exceptional models for the evolution of sex and sex-determining regions of the genome (the mating type locus) and for transitions that commonly occur between outcrossing/self-sterile and inbreeding/self-fertile modes of reproduction. We review here the state of the understanding of sex and its evolution in the fungal kingdom and also areas where the field has contributed and will continue to contribute to illuminating general principles and paradigms of sexual reproduction.

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Section: Allomyces Macrogynus: a Model Homothallic Fungusmentioning

confidence: 86%

The Evolution of Sex: a Perspective from the Fungal Kingdom

Lee

et al. 2010

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev

323

344

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“…6 in Ref. 11). For the bioassays described below, the threshold was the lowest concentration in the attractant well causing detectable accumulation at the proximal wall of the adjacent male well.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…On the other hand, it has been known for some time that the sexual pheromone sirenin (4) produced by the female gametes ofA. macrogynus has the ability to attract male gametes (7,11 or chemically synthesized l-sirenin was active; none of the analogs exhibited any biological activity in chemotaxis bioassays (8). Furthermore, Machlis (8) was able to demonstrate that d-sirenin and isosirenin lacked activity, strongly suggesting the presence of receptors with specific structural requirements.…”

Section: Abstracrmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, it has been known for some time that the sexual pheromone sirenin (4) produced by the female gametes ofA. macrogynus has the ability to attract male gametes (7,11). This dual sexual attraction system ensures that male and female gametes can locate one another efficiently and results in essentially 100% ofthe female gametes in a solution being fertilized by male cells (12).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Effects of Analogs of the Fungal Sexual Pheromone Sirenin on Male Gamete Motility in Allomyces macrogynus

Pommerville¹,

Strickland²,

Romo³

et al. 1988

Plant Physiol.

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ABSTRACrThe ability of various structural analogs of the sexual pheromone sirenin to attract male gametes of the aquatic fungus Allomyces macrogynus was determined. Previous studies had shown that several structural analogs and stereoisomers of natural I-sirenin were devoid of activity at physiological concentrations. We now report the discovery of a structural analog that exhibits biological activity indistinguishable from the natural pheromone. The bioassay system used to determine chemotaxis was calibrated using synthetic, racemic sirenin, which exhibited a threshold concentration for gamete attraction at an applied concentration of 10 picomolar. The new synthetic monohydroxy analog of sirenin also had a threshold concentration of 10 picomolar. In the process of developing a new total synthesis of sirenin, a variety of other analogs were prepared and tested. All of these analogs exhibited threshold concentrations at 1 micromolar or higher, although attraction at these higher concentrations still varied according to their structural resemblance to sirenin. Thus, the results of these studies demonstrate that the hydroxymethyl group attached to the six-membered ring of sirenin is not essential for biological activity at physiological concentrations. The studies with other analogs demonstrate that biological activity at any concentration involves a balance between hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and hydrophobic hydrocarbon groups in the structure.The gametes of the aquatic fungus Allomyces macrogynus exhibit a dual attraction system. It was demonstrated recently (15) that the female gametes are attracted to the male gametes as a result of the production by the male gametes of a sexual pheromone called parisin. On the other hand, it has been known for some time that the sexual pheromone sirenin (4) produced by the female gametes ofA. macrogynus has the ability to attract male gametes (7,11 or chemically synthesized l-sirenin was active; none of the analogs exhibited any biological activity in chemotaxis bioassays (8). Furthermore, Machlis (8) was able to demonstrate that d-sirenin and isosirenin lacked activity, strongly suggesting the presence of receptors with specific structural requirements. Receptor studies involving competition binding or inhibition have not been possible to carry out due to the lack of sensory adaptation to sirenin by male gametes (12, 13).More recent studies into the mechanism of male chemotaxis in A. macrogynus (13) have been hindered by the unavailability of structural analogs that can be used to determine the basic structural features of sirenin necessary for biological activity. In addition, synthetic sirenin has not been available for comparing the potency of synthetic analogs as pheromones.Results described in this report demonstrate that synthetic sirenin analogs can exhibit biological activity identical to that of naturally occurring sirenin. These results provide information about chemical recognition by the male gametes of A. macrogynus. MATERIALS AND METHODSCultures. These studies w...

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“…The fourth assay was based on the agar-diffusion system of Pommerville (1977). Wells of 2 mm diameter were punched out of a 2 mm thick layer of SW-agar in a Petri dish.…”

Section: Chemotaxis Assaysmentioning

confidence: 99%