The initiation of sporangiophores ofPhycomyceswas analyzed under oxygen-limiting conditions. Mutants lacking β-carotene have a higher oxygen threshold than the wild type depending on the residual amount of β-carotene. The supersensitivity to low oxygen tension is specific for sporangiophore initiation and can be suppressed by addition of either retinal, retinol or retinol acetate to the medium. It is suggested that retinol is a natural regulator of differentiation inPhycomyce
展开▼