Ultrastructural Changes and Biochemical Events in Basidiospore Germination of Schizophyllum commune

Abstract

Electron microscopic features and biochemical events were outlined in basidiospore germination of Schizophyllum commune. Normal ultrastructural changes included prominent vacuolization and more abundant endoplasmic reticulum. A lag phase in outgrowth included depletion of cellular reserves of trehalose, mannitol, and arabitol and subsequent increases in ribonucleic acid and protein. Depletion of polyols required exogenous carbon and nitrogen sources and was arrested by protein synthesis antagonists. Outgrowth subsequent to the lag period was accompanied by increased glycogen deposition and alkali-soluble glucan production.

Regulation of trehalose mobilization in fungi.

“…Breakdown of storage trehalose is usually one of the main biochemical events during early germination of fungal spores. This has been observed in Dictyostelium discoideum (25,78), Phycomyces blakesleeanus (154,186), Schizosaccharomyces pombe (76), Schizophyllum commune (1), Neurospora ascospores (46,95,175), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (153), Pichia pastoris (9, 181), Aspergillus oryzae (74), Myrothecium verrucaria (101), and uredospores of Puccinia graminis tritici (218). Germination of Claviceps sclerotia is also associated with mobilization of storage trehalose (34).…”

Regulation of trehalose mobilization in fungi

“…Breakdown of storage trehalose is usually one of the main biochemical events during early germination of fungal spores. This has been observed in Dictyostelium discoideum (25,78), Phycomyces blakesleeanus (154,186), Schizosaccharomyces pombe (76), Schizophyllum commune (1), Neurospora ascospores (46,95,175), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (153), Pichia pastoris (9, 181), Aspergillus oryzae (74), Myrothecium verrucaria (101), and uredospores of Puccinia graminis tritici (218). Germina-tion of Claviceps sclerotia is also associated with mobilization of storage trehalose (34).…”