Effect of carbon dioxide on differentiation and on the level of a soluble b-type cytochrome in Phycomyces blakesleeanus.

A soluble b-type cytochrome has been detected and partly characterized in mycelial extracts of Phycomyces blakesleeanus. As it is already known, CO2 delays sporangiophorogenesis, but it also lowers the level of this cytochrome. A possible causal relationship between sporangiophorogenesis and the b-type-cytochrome level may exist. There is some correlation between the extent of the delay of sporangiophorogenesis and of the decrease in cytochrome-b level in wild type and mutants that are either resistant or sensitive to CO2.