Effect of histidine on purine nucleotide synthesis and utilization in Neurospora crassa.

Histidine affects de novo purine nucleotide synthesis and purine nucleotide pool utilization in Neurospora crassa. The former effect was assessed qualitatively by the presence or absence of purple pigment production in ad3B and ad3A mutants. Tryptophan also affected the de novo purine nucleotide synthesis. The effect of histidine on purine nucleotide pool utilization resulted in stimulated germination of ad8 and ad4 mutant conidia in adenine-deficient medium. Increased germination was correlated with increased net levels of nucleic acids in these strains. Possible mechanisms for the dual action of histidine are discussed.