Biochemical Investigations of the Host-Parasite Relationship of Mosquitos and the Parasite Fungus Lagenidium giganteum

摘要

The study of the utilization of sterols by the fungus Lagenidium giganteum has been continued and expanded. The organism uses a wide range of natural sterols and synthetic sterols, which induce zoospore formation. The antibiotics nystatin and amphotericin have been shown to repress zoospore production. The study of sterol utilization and metabolism has been initiated, and work on general fungal physiology has been continued. It has been noted that lipoidal substances seem to be required for utilization of ammonium ion. The fungus protease has also been further isolated and purified and it seems to belong to the serine, alkaline trypsin class. Mosquito proteases have been further analyzed from Culex pipiens and Aedes epactuis. On the basis of further examination and study, it appears that a new trypsin like alkalophilic enzyme is present. A new, more reliable purification procedure has been developed.