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Chromosome mechanics of fungi under spaceflight conditions—tetrad analysis of two‐factor crosses between spore color mutants of Sordaria macrospora
Author(s) -
Hahn A.,
Hock B.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.13.9001.s149
Subject(s) - spaceflight , spore , tetrad , mutant , biology , chromosome , genetics , botany , physics , gene , astronomy
ABSTRACT Spore color mutants of the fungus Sordaria macrospora Auersw. were crossed under spaceflight conditions on the space shuttle to MIR mission S/MM 05 (STS‐81). The arrangement of spores of different colors in the asci allowed conclusions on the influence of spaceflight conditions on sexual recombination in fungi. Experiments on a 1‐ g centrifuge in space and in parallel on the ground were used for controls. The samples were analyzed microscopically on their return to earth. Each fruiting body was assessed separately. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant increase in gene recombination frequencies caused by the heavy ion particle stream in space radiation. The lack of gravity did not influence crossing‐over frequencies. Hyphae of the flown samples were assessed for DNA strand breaks. No increase in damage was found compared with the ground samples. It was shown that S. macrospora is able to repair radiation‐induced DNA strand breaks within hours.—Hahn, A., Hock, B. Chromosome mechanics of fungi under spaceflight conditions—tetrad analysis of two‐factor crosses between spore color mutants of Sordaria macrospora. FASEB J. 13 (Suppl.), S149–S156 (1999)