Genetic and Biochemical Studies of Mutants of Penicillium chrysogenum Impaired in Penicillin Production

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Abstract
Seventy-eight mutants of P. chrysogenum strain NRRL 1951, that were impaired in penicillin production, were isolated following treatment with various mutagens. Twelve that yielded about 10% of their parental penicillin titer were studied in detail. Analyses of heterozygous diploids formed between them revealed the existence of at least 5 complementation groups with respect to penicillin production -V, W, X, Y and Z. Most mutants belonged to group Y. A biochemical investigation of the intracellular peptides in strains representing the 5 groups demonstrated the absence of the tripeptide .alpha.-aminoadipoylcysteinyl-valine from mutants of groups X, Y and Z. Extracts of mutants of groups W, Y and Z were able to catalyze a penicillin acyl-exchange reaction, a mutant of group V showed only a trace of activity and a mutant from group X completely lacked this ability.