Imaging of long-distance alpha-aminoisobutyric acid translocation dynamics during resource capture by Serpula lacrymans.

ABSTRACT: alpha-Aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) is a nonmetabolized amino acid analogue of alanine, which at low (muM) concentrations acts as a tracer for amino acid movements. At high concentrations (mM), it competitively inhibits membrane transport and metabolism of protein amino acids and acts as a systemic translocated inhibitor of mycelial extension in fungi. AIB can control mycelial spread of the basidiomycete Serpula lacrymans, the cause of brown rot of wood in buildings. However, it is not known how effectively the inhibitor is distributed throughout the mycelium. Realistically heterogeneous microcosms, in which the fungus grew across nutritionally inert sand to colonize discrete wood resources, were used to investigate patterns of inhibition and translocation following local application of AIB.

SUBMITTER: Tlalka M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2394889 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature