The role of retinol in the initiation of sporangiophores of Phycomyces blakesleeanus.

The initiation of sporangiophores of Phycomyces was analyzed under oxygen-limiting conditions. Mutants lacking β-carotene have a higher oxygen threshold than the wild type depending on the residual amount of β-carotene. The supersensitivity to low oxygen tension is specific for sporangiophore initiation and can be suppressed by addition of either retinal, retinol or retinol acetate to the medium. It is suggested that retinol is a natural regulator of differentiation in Phycomyces.