Mitochondrial genetics of Coprinus: Recombination of mitochondrial genomes.

The formation of the sexual mycelium or dikaryon in the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus involves exchange and migration of nuclei without accompanying exchange of mitochondria. The dikaryotic growth which appears around the periphery of mated monokaryons has exclusively the mitochondrial genome of the recipient cells. Recombination of mitochondrial genomes is not, however, precluded during dikaryosis. Using monokaryons with different mitochondrial gene mutations, [acu-10] causing cytochrome aa 3 deficiency and[cap-1.1] conferring resistance to chloramphenicol, it was shown that recombinant mitochondria arise in the zone of contact of mated monokaryons.