Neurospora crassa biochemical mutants

Goldie, A.H. and Subden, R.E., The neutral carotenoids of wild-type and mutant strains of Neurospora crassa, Biochem. Genet. 10, 275, 1973. 

Lewis has used the techniques of biochemical genetics in the study of the metabolism of the intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in Neurospora crassa. A number of mutant strains of Neurospora require succinic acid or related compounds for growth. Succinate can be replaced by fumarate, glutamate, a-ketoglutarate, aspartate, malate, and to some extent by acetate, and Lewis suggests that the results can be interpreted on the assumption that the tricarboxylic acid cycle operates. But it is necessary to make a second assumption, viz., that the cycle can be blocked without producing a lethal effect. This means that Neurospora must be able to obtain energy from reactions other than the tricarboxylic acid cycle. 

Biochemical Mutants. Mutants with such anomalies were first found and studied (A. Kiihn, A. Butenandt) among insects (e.g. the flour moth Ephestia and the fruit fly Drosophila). Later, biochemical mutants were generated (Beadle) from the easily grown bread mold Neurospora crassa. 

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