Prof. Dr. Johannes Wöstemeyer
Interspecific communication in Mucor-like fungi

Abstract
The early steps of sexual recognition and differentiation Mucor relatives are mediated by retinoid-like substances, the trisporoids. These compounds occur in many derivatives and isomers. They are synthesised by oxidative degradation of b-carotene and are predominantly secreted to the medium. Apart from their crucial role for inducing sexual reactions between mating partners, they are also used for interspecific communication between Mucor-relatives. The biotrophic mycoparasite of many but not all mucoralean fungi, Parasitella parasitica, makes also use of the trisporoid system for recognizing appropriate hosts.
This PhD project aims at analyzing the morphogenetic consequences of interspecific communication in one parasitic and three different sexual interactions. In addition, we intend to analyse the interaction between an endobiotic bacterium and its mucoralean host. This latter unusual mutualism seems to influence the capacity of the fungus for mitotic sporulation.
At the analytic level, the project will concentrate on carotene synthesis, the formation of the major trisporoids, measurement of transcription levels of the corresponding genes by RT-PCR, and on the patterns of secreted enzymes and especially of surface proteins. Surface proteins are believed to take part in partner recognition. Relevant differentiation-specific surface proteins will be partially sequenced and their corresponding genes will be cloned.

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