The modifying effects of strain and age on the mutagenic specificity of ultraviolet light in Neurospora crassa.

Two derivatives of K3/17 ad-3A 38701; inos 37401 of Neurospora crassa are described which show opposite specific reversional responses to UV. Both derivatives carry the same two auxotrophic alleles and appear to differ only in a single gene which influences the pattern of mutagen specificity. The differences between the derivatives only develop after the cultures have been aged for two to four weeks. Various possible explanations are considered.