influence of spore wall thickness and pigmentation of the penetrability of mutagenic UV radiation in ascobolus immerses

ABSTRACT

Mechanisms of protection against lethal UV radiation [254 nm] in fungal spores were investigated. This was made possible by the availability of various mutants of Ascobolusimmersus producing ascospores differing from the dark red pigmented wild-type in both pigment and thickness of spore wall. The basic mechanism of protection is suggested to be a shielding effect from UV radiation through a thicker pigmented spore wall. The presence of a photoreactivating repair system in A. immersus capable of reducing the lethal effects of UV radiation is also emphasized