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Heterothallism of mucoraceous fungi: A review of biological implications and uses in biotechnology

Heterothallism of mucoraceous fungi: A review of biological implications and uses in biotechnology The phenomenon of heterothallism in filamentous fungi is reviewed, with emphasis on the discussion of hormonal regulation of heterothallic strains of mucoraceous fungi. This process is viewed from the standpoint of current understanding that fungal cells communicate with each other using a special “language,” i.e., signaling chemicals (hormones or pheromones). Physiological and biochemical criteria of distinguishing between heterosexual strains, which make it possible to draw analogies with higher eukaryotes, are set forth for the first time, based on experimental data obtained with Blakeslea trispora. The synthetic pathway to trisporic acids (a zygogenic sex hormone of Mucorales), their relation to carotenoids, and biological functions are described. The similarity (both structural and functional) between fungal, plant, and animal hormones is another topic dealt with. Current understanding of the role of terpenoids in the evolution of sexual communication and transduction is presented with an excursion into microbial endocrinology, a novel field of research in biology. The concluding part of the review analyzes the data on biotechnological implications of the phenomenon of heterothallism. Specifically, it may be used to obtain a series of isoprenoid compounds, such as β-carotene and lycopene (which exhibit pronounced antioxidant activity), as well as sterols and trisporic acids. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology Springer Journals

Heterothallism of mucoraceous fungi: A review of biological implications and uses in biotechnology

Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology , Volume 42 (5) – Aug 29, 2006

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References (62)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 by MAIK “Nauka/Interperiodica”
Subject
Life Sciences; Medical Microbiology; Biochemistry, general; Microbiology
ISSN
0003-6838
eISSN
1608-3024
DOI
10.1134/S0003683806050012
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The phenomenon of heterothallism in filamentous fungi is reviewed, with emphasis on the discussion of hormonal regulation of heterothallic strains of mucoraceous fungi. This process is viewed from the standpoint of current understanding that fungal cells communicate with each other using a special “language,” i.e., signaling chemicals (hormones or pheromones). Physiological and biochemical criteria of distinguishing between heterosexual strains, which make it possible to draw analogies with higher eukaryotes, are set forth for the first time, based on experimental data obtained with Blakeslea trispora. The synthetic pathway to trisporic acids (a zygogenic sex hormone of Mucorales), their relation to carotenoids, and biological functions are described. The similarity (both structural and functional) between fungal, plant, and animal hormones is another topic dealt with. Current understanding of the role of terpenoids in the evolution of sexual communication and transduction is presented with an excursion into microbial endocrinology, a novel field of research in biology. The concluding part of the review analyzes the data on biotechnological implications of the phenomenon of heterothallism. Specifically, it may be used to obtain a series of isoprenoid compounds, such as β-carotene and lycopene (which exhibit pronounced antioxidant activity), as well as sterols and trisporic acids.

Journal

Applied Biochemistry and MicrobiologySpringer Journals

Published: Aug 29, 2006

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