Involvement of cyclic AMP in carotenogenesis and cell differentiation in Blakeslea trispora.

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) was detected in single and mated cultures of Blakeslea trispora. Cyclic AMP levels increased on mating the plus and minus mycelia. Trisporic acid and beta-carotene levels were much higher in synthetic mucor medium supplemented with glycerol as compared to that with glucose. Cyclic AMP induced significant morphological changes in plus and minus strains were comparable to those induced by mating event.