[Effect of glycogen on the photoinduced fruiting of Iodophanus carneus]

In I. carneus a direct relation was found between glycogen metabolism, light and sexual differentiation. Cultures in liquid media and photoinduced, showed a decrease in glycogen level at the time of differentiation of the ascogonia, in dark conditions, which coincided with growth decay. In solid media glycogen accumulation was observed in the dark, and also a mobilization of glycogen from zone I (colony center) toward zone II (periphery). Light in day 2 (photoinhibition of fruiting) favors glycogen accumulation in zone I, preventing fruit body development. Light in day 5 favors glycogen mobilization toward colony periphery and fruit body development. Histochemical technics confirmed these results.