THE CONTROL OF SEXUAL MORPHOGENESIS IN THE ASCOMYCOTINA

(1) A series of factors controls sexual morphogenesis in the Ascomycotina, a process involving the formation of novel structures such as ascocarps (fruit bodies) and asci (sacs containing spores) during sexual reproduction. (2) Environmental and genetic factors must be correct before Ascomycetes may sexually reproduce. Compatibility in many heterothallic species is under polygenic control, with the mating type loci and also other genetic factors determining the productivity of sexual crosses. (3) Classical genetic studies have shown that sexual morphogenesis involves the expression of a series of developmentally regulated genes, and this has been confirmed by recent molecular studies which have demonstrated changes in patterns of mRNA and protein synthesis during ascocarp formation. (4) Hyphal differentiation leading to the formation of mature fruit bodies occurs in response to a series of signals, which include various physical and chemical factors. (5) Chemical sex factors have been identified which are believed to have important regulatory or nutritional roles in sexual morphogenesis. These include the following. (a) Diffusible sex hormones which may regulate developmental switching between asexual and sexual modes of reproduction, including (i) pheromones involved with the induction of gametangia and gamete attraction, and (ii) sex morphogens involved with triggering particular stages of fruit body formation. (b) Sexual growth substances which are required as nutrients, and may be precursors for the production of sex hormones, or metabolites used in the synthesis of novel sexual structures. Most of these sex factors are lipids. (6) Certain sex morphogens and sexual growth substances have been shown to exhibit activity in a variety of fungal species, suggesting that fungi of related phylogenetic descent may utilize similar metabolites or signalling factors during sexual reproduction. (7) Phenoloxidase enzymes may catalyse hyphal aggregation in developing fruit bodies. (8) Initial stages of ascocarp development may occur independently of the events of the sexual cycle. However, a link(s) with the functional ascogenous hyphae is needed for the formation of morphologically mature ascocarps. (9) Suitable environmental conditions are sufficient to trigger sexual morphogenesis in homothallic Ascomycetes. However, an extra level of control is present in heterothallic species, with a compatible partner required to complete sexual reproduction. This may be partly because novel regulatory products, formed by the combined action of the mating type loci of different partners, are required for further ascocarp development. (10) Further research is required to identify more fungal chemical sex factors and to determine the role of environmental stress in controlling sexual morphogenesis, and how this may be related to temporal patterns in the expression of mating type genes.     

Growth Cycle-Dependent Overproduction and Accumulation of Protoporphyrin IX in Tetrahymena: Effect of Heavy Metals1

Cells of the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis GL overproduce and accumulate massive quantities of the heme intermediate, protoporphyrin IX. Protoporphyrin is localized intracellularly in discrete membranous compartments. The amount of porphyrin stored in the cell changes dramatically as cells progress through the growth cycle. Porphyrin overproduction is stimulated by δ-aminolevulinic acid, but only during the mid-stationary phase. Overproduction of protoporphyrin IX apparently results from an increase, late in the growth cycle, of activities subsequent to δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase. Feedback inhibition in the pathway by accumulated protoporphyrin IX does not occur. The presence of Co²⁺ completely inhibits accumulation of protoporphyrin IX in a manner reversed by δ-aminolevulinic acid. Sn⁴⁺ stimulates protoporphyrin IX accumulation in the culture.     

Control of K+ (Rb+) influx and transport with changed internal K+ concentration and age in two varieties of barley

The influx of Rb⁺ into the roots of two barley varieties (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Salve and cv. Ingrid) from a K⁺-free ⁸⁶Rb-labelled nutrient solution with 2.0 mM Rb⁺, was checked at intervals from day 6 to day 18. The control plants were continuously grown in complete nutrient solution containing 5.0 mM K⁺, while two other groups of plants were grown in K⁺-free nutrient solution starting on day 6 and between day 6 and day 9, respectively. The pattern of Rb⁺ influx was similar for both varieties, although their efficiencies in absorbing Rb⁺ were different. The relationship between Rb⁺ influx and K⁺ concentration of the root could be interpreted in terms of negative feedback through allosteric control of uptake across the plasmalemma of the root cells. Hill plots were bimodal, but in the opposite direction. The Hill coefficients, reflecting the minimum number of interacting allosteric binding sites for K⁺ (Rb⁺), were low (≤–3.0). It is discussed whether the threshold value, that is the breaking point in the Hill plot, is indicative of a changed efficiency of transporting units for K⁺ (Rb⁺) transport to the xylem. Moreover, feedback regulation might be involved in transport of K⁺ between root and shoot. The variation in K⁺ concentrations in the roots and shoots of control plants were cyclic but in phase opposition despite an exponential growth. The average K⁺ concentration varied only slightly with age.     

Tentoxin effects on infrastructure and greening of ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea var. hederacea) cotyledons

The effects of 20 μM tentoxin on mesophyll chloroplast ultra-structural development, chlorophyll organization and accumulation, and pigment transformations in cotyledons of dark-grown, 4-day-old ivyleaf morningglory [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. var. hederacea]were monitored. After 6 h of white light (200 μEm^?2T.s^?1), many plastids of tentoxin-treated tissues contained prolamellar bodies or inconsistent internal membrane orientation in contrast to the uniform internal membrane orientation and absence of prolamellar bodies in controls. Grana stacking did not progress beyond three to four disc loculi in tentoxin-treatments, and fret membranes were usually discontinuous and reduced. Cylindrical or cupped grana appeared in many chloroplasts after 3 days of light, while other chloroplasts in which disruption was more pronounced had few grana except for remnants, but usually did possess vesicles or structures resembling prolamellar bodies. Tentoxin had no apparent effect on stroma density or plastoglobuli size and number. No starch grains appeared in any of the tentoxin treatments, whereas they appeared after 24 h in controls. Initial protochlorophyllide content and its photoconversion to chlorophyllide and subsequent Shibata shift were not affected by tentoxin. Chlorophyll accumulation rates in tentoxin-treated cotyledons were about 10% of control rates during the first 24 h of greening and about 20% of controls from 48 to 72 h of greening. Chlorophyll alb ratio and PSU size (total Chl/P700) were not significantly affected by tentoxin.     

Varietal variation in uptake and utilization of potassium (rubidium) in high-salt seedlings of barley

Seedlings of eleven varieties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) showed differences in utilization of K⁺ from a full nutrient solution containing 3.0 mM K⁺. The K⁺ content of both roots and shoots was proportional to the fresh weights and dry weights after a week in the nutrient solution. The K⁺ use-efficiency ratio, which indicates the efficiency of nutrient utilization (mg dry weight produced per mg K⁺ absorbed), differed significantly among the varieties. There was no correlation between influx of Rb⁺ and the content of K⁺. It is suggested that there are wide varietal differences in such genetically-determined properties as ion influx and efflux and net ion transport to the shoot. Further-more, the influx of Rb⁺ was closely linked to transpiration, probably due to a variety-specific non-metabolic part of Rb⁺ influx. Varietal differences in influx of Rb⁺ were more pronounced in high-K⁺ roots than in low-K⁺ roots with maximum rate of Rb⁺ uptake, but the rank of varieties was the same in each case. – Criteria for the selection of K⁺ use-efficient varieties of barley are discussed.     

Regulation of Rubidium Uptake in Sunflower Roots

Uptake of Rb⁺ was investigated in 12-day-old intact plants of sunflower (Helianthus annum L. var. californicus) which had been cultivated or pretreated in nutrient solutions with various K⁺ concentrations. The relationship between Rb⁺ influx and K⁺ concentration of the roots indicated regulation of Rb⁺ uptake by allosteric inhibition of the uptake mechanism. A constant passive influx occurred contemporaneously with the active uptake as shown by experiments at 0°C or with 2,4-dinitrophenol. The allosteric regulation of ion carrier activity occurred after a time lag of up to 1 h after the change of external solution. In experiments involving Rb⁺ treatments of K⁺-deficient plants, the synthesis of carriers for transport of Rb⁺ could be demonstrated. A model including allosteric regulation of Rb⁺ uptake in roots is discussed.     

Quelques Donnees Ecologiques sur les Cilies Libres de l'Afrique

Several problems concerning the ecology of free-living ciliateProtozoa from the continent of Africa require and are worthyof in-depth study. But work already carried out, primarily bythe author alone, indicates several general conclusions of interest.The infusorian fauna of inter-tropical Africa, surprisinglyenough, is poor and little diversified, apparently due to unfavorableecological (mostly chemical-physical) conditions. Endemic species,however, are quite frequently found: of 130 species studied,23% were new. Finally, although the density of ciliates is oftenlow, in some cases populations of certain species have presenteda biomass which must play a role of definite significance inthe food-chain cycle in the habitats in which they occur.