title: Beta-carotene production and sclerotial differentiation in Sclerotinia minor.
abstract: Sclerotinia minor accumulates beta-carotene at levels dependent upon oxidative growth conditions and differentiation. Beta-carotene accumulation is 2.5-fold higher in differentiated mycelia at high than at low oxidative stress, and approx. 3-fold higher in differentiated than in undifferentiated mycelia. It is proposed that beta-carotene may be produced by the fungus to counteract oxidative stress that develops during growth. This is shown by the finding that exogenous beta-carotene at growth non-inhibiting concentrations causes a concentration-dependent reduction of oxidative stress (lipid and protein peroxidation) and sclerotial differentiation in this fungus. The data of this study support our hypothesis that sclerotial differentiation in phytopathogenic fungi may be induced by oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26100 Patra, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zervoudakis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tairis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salahas
authors.forename: Christos D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Georgiou
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D025282:Mycelium / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D019207:beta Carotene