Use of cobalt as a mitochondrial vital stain to study cytoplasmic exchange in matings of the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune.

Differential labeling of mates, based on the selective uptake of cobalt by mitochondria of one of the partners, has been used to determine visually by means of phase-contrast microscopy whether transfer of mitochondria occurs after hyphal fusion. Compatible and incompatible matings of the tetrapolar basidiomycete, Schizophyllum commune, were studied. Transfer was detectable in common-A, common-AB, and fully compatible matings. It was not detectable in common-B matings