Inhibition of Growth and Development of Agaricus bisporus by Polyoxin D

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Abstract
The antibiotic polyoxin D specifically inhibits chitin synthase in fungi. The edible mushroom A. bisporus contains chitin in its cell walls. To determine if chitin synthase activity is involved in mycelial growth and fruit body expansion of A. bisporus, the effect of polyoxin D, as well as the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide on these processes was examined. Polyoxin D was inhibitory to mycelial growth. According to cycloheximide data, protein synthesis is required for net chitin synthesis. The growth of the mycelium and sporophore of A. bisporus requires an active chitin synthase. The enzyme has a similar affinity for polyoxin D to that of chitin synthase in other fungi.