The genetic analysis of carbohydrate utilization in Aspergillus nidulans.

SUMMARY The isolation and genetic analysis of a new class of mutants of the mould Aspergillus nidulans is described. The mutants were detected by their inability to utilize specific carbohydrates as sole carbon source for growth. All of the mutants are recessive and analysis of 27 mutants has resulted in the description of 10 new loci concerned with the utilization of carbohydrates in the organism; the loci have been allocated to linkage groups and 6 were mapped meiotically. Two loci which control lactose utilization are not linked and neither are 5 loci which control the utilization of galactose. A series of sorbitol mutants is unusual in that they are all non-complementary when combined in heterokaryons, although certain pairs of mutants complement in the corresponding heterozygous diploids.