Genetic and biochemical studies of mutants of Penicillium chrysogenum impaired in penicillin production.
Seventy-eight mutants of Penicillium chrysogenum strain NRRL 1951, that were impaired in penicillin production, were isolated following treatment with various mutagens. Twelve that yielded about 10% of their parental penicillin titre were studied in detail. Analyses of heterozygous diploids formed between them revealed the existence of at least five complementation groups with respect to penicillin production--V, W, X, Y and Z. Most mutants belonged to group Y. A biochemical investigation of the intracellular peptides in strains representing the five groups demonstrated the absence of the tripeptide alpha-aminoadipoylcysteinyl-valine from mutants of groups X, Y and Z. Extracts of mutants of groups W, Y and Z were able to catalyse a penicillin acyl-exchange reaction, a mutant of group V showed only a trace of activity and mutant from group X completely lacked this ability.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D004171:Diploidy; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D009154:Mutation; D010406:Penicillins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000235:genetics*; D010408:Penicillium chrysogenum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis
D000596:Amino Acids; D010406:Penicillins; D010455:Peptides