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Self-compatible B mutants in coprinus with altered pheromone-receptor specificities.
N S Olesnicky1, A J Brown, Y Honda
1Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, United Kingdom.
Genetics
|November 7, 2000
Summary
Mutations in mushroom mating genes can alter pheromone and receptor interactions. A single amino acid change in either can disrupt specificity, leading to self-compatibility and deregulated development.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mating in *Coprinus cinereus* relies on compatible pheromones and G-protein-coupled receptors encoded by the B mating-type locus.
- Mutations in B genes can cause constitutive activation of development, bypassing the need for mating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a mutation in the B6 locus affecting pheromone-receptor recognition.
- To investigate how single amino acid substitutions impact mating compatibility and specificity.
Main Methods:
- Heterologous yeast assay using synthetic pheromones.
- Analysis of a specific B6 locus mutation (R96H) in the receptor.
- Parallel experiments in *Coprinus* with a F67W pheromone substitution.
Main Results:
- The R96H receptor mutation does not cause constitutive activity but allows response to an incompatible pheromone from the same locus.
- A F67W substitution in the pheromone enables activation of the wild-type receptor.
- Single amino acid changes in either pheromone or receptor can deregulate recognition specificity.
Conclusions:
- Specific amino acid substitutions in pheromones or receptors can confer self-compatibility by altering ligand-receptor recognition.
- Receptors and pheromones within a single B locus belong to distinct subfamilies, preventing normal activation between them.