Podospora anserina does not senesce when serially passaged in liquid culture

M. S. Turker, D. J. Cummings

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

A procedure was developed for the prolonged growth of the ascomycete fungus Podospora anserina in liquid culture to determine the effects of such growth on the senescence phenotype. Senescence in P. anserina, which is maternally inherited and associated with the excision and amplification of specific mitochondrial plasmids, occurs when this species is grown on solid medium. In two independent experiments no evidence of senescence was observed as mycelia were serially passaged in liquid culture. Further, when separable mycelial masses, termed puff balls, from the liquid cultures were plated on solid medium, a significant increase in their average longevity was observed. The apparent immortality of P. anserina in liquid culture was not dependent upon mitochondrial DNA rearrangements, nor was it affected by the presence of a perviously described senescence plasmid, αsenDNA. Evidence was obtained indicating that growth in liquid culture exerts selective pressure to maintain the wild-type mitochondrial genome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)454-460
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of bacteriology
Volume169
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

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