EFFECT OF CYCLIC AMP ON GLYCOGEN SYNTHETASE IN COPRINUS MACRORHIZUS

Abstract
Glycogen synthetase in this fungus is inhibited by the presence of cyclic[c]AMP and inhibition is reversed by G-6-P. Conversion of the active form of glycogen synthetase to the inactive form occurred in the absence of ATP and may not involve phosphorylation at the protein level. Mycelia which were able to form fruiting bodies produced higher levels of this enzyme than those unable to form fruiting bodies, indicating that higher levels of enzyme may be required in advance of fruiting body formation. The cAMP synthesized may regulate the amount of glycogen in mycelia by inhibition of glycogen synthetase and activation of glycogen phosphorylase.