Studies on the Formation of Phycocyanin, Porphyrins, and a Blue Phycobilin by Wild-Type and Mutant Strains of Cyanidium caldarium

Abstract
The synthesis of chlorophyll a and the bile-pigment and protein moieties of phycocyanin were arrested in illuminated cells of Cyanidium caldarium, strain III-D-2, incubated with chloramphenicol, ethionine, p-fluorophenylalanine, and p-chloromercuribenzoate. Pigment synthesis was similarly retarded in illuminated cells provided with nutrient medium lacking nitrogen.