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. 1974 Jan;117(1):261–264. doi: 10.1128/jb.117.1.261-264.1974

Membrane Permeability and the Loss of Germination Factor from Neurospora crassa at Low Water Activities

Gisela Charlang 1, N H Horowitz 1
PMCID: PMC246552  PMID: 4358044

Abstract

Neurospora crassa conidia incubating in buffer at low water activities (aw) release a germination-essential component as well as 260-nm absorbing and ninhydrin-positive materials, regardless of whether an electrolyte or non-electrolyte is used to reduce aw. Chloroform and antibiotics known to increase cell-membrane permeability have a similar effect. This suggests that membrane damage occurs in media of low aw and that an increase in permeability is responsible for the release of cellular components. The damage caused in media of low aw is nonlethal in most cases, and the conidia recover when transferred to nutrient medium.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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