title: Role of nitric oxide synthase in the light-induced development of sporangiophores in Phycomyces blakesleeanus.
abstract: Blue light controls the development of sporangiophores in the zygomycete Phycomyces blakesleeanus Burgeff. Light represses the production of microsporangiophores and enhances the development of macrosporangiophores. Inhibition of the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin, a cofactor of NO synthase, inhibits this photomorphogenesis. Light induces production of citrulline from arginine in the mycelium and in sporangiophores. The citrulline-forming activity is dependent on NADPH, independent of calcium, and inhibited by NO synthase inhibitors. It is reduced in tetrahydrobiopterin-depleted mycelium. Light induces emission of NO from the developing fungus in the same order of magnitude as citrulline formation from arginine. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside can replace the light effect on sporangiophore development, and inhibitors of NO synthase repress it. We suggest that a fungal NO synthase is involved in sporangiophore development and propose its participation in light signaling.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Plant Biochemistry, Eberhard-Karls-University, Corrensstrasse 41, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hecker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rockel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ninnemann
mesh_terms: D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D002956:Citrulline / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008027:Light; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D010800:Phycomyces / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D001708:Biopterins; D002956:Citrulline; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; C003402:sapropterin