Alternative reproduction pathway in Aspergillus nidulans

Abstract

Recombinant haploid segregants were recovered in filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans (Eidam) G. Winter directly from the heterokaryons instead of diploid segregants (process described earlier as parameiosis). In spite of the reproductive complexity of A. nidulans, parameiosis has only now been observed in this fungus. Since parameiosis was characterized by the occurrence of genetic recombination inside heterokaryotic hyphae, master strains (uvs+) and uvs mutants with high rate of both mitotic exchanges or chromosome nondisjunction were used to form heterokaryons. Two groups of mitotic segregants were recovered directly from heterokaryons--aneuploids and stable haploids. Heterokaryons formed with uvs mutants produced a higher number of parameiotic segregants compared to the heterokaryons formed with uvs+ strains. Segregants were analyzed by nutritional markers, acriflavine resistance and conidial color. Normal meiotic behavior of haploid recombinants was observed.