A study on fungal radioresistance and sensitivity.
Lower doses of gamma and X-rays (5 and 1 Krad, respectively) stimulated the spore germination and growth of 7 tested fungi. Higher doses (500 and 100 Krad, respectively) revealed that Epicoccum nigrum was the most radioresistant, while Alternaria humicola, Stemphylium verruculosum, Rhizopus nigricans, and Cladosporium herbarum were of moderate resistance. Aspergillus niger and Penicillium oxalicum were the most radiosensitive. Protein and polysaccharide synthesis were inhibited in the mycelium developed from irradiated spores; the inhibition was a function of dose. Study of the different factors (morphological, biological, and biochemical) indicates that variability in fungal resistance to ionizing radiation is, most probably, an inherent character, connected with mycelial water content and the natural production of a chemical substance(s) that acts as a radioprotector(s).
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005658:Fungi / Q000032:analysis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D014965:X-Rays
D000596:Amino Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D009584:Nitrogen