CALCIUM ION REGULATES AERIAL MYCELIUM FORMATION IN ACTINOMYCETES

Abstract

Ca²⁺ induced the formation of aerial mycelia in Streptomyces ambofaciens. Its effect was inhibited by ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid, a Ca²⁺ specific chelating agent. A survey of 36 strains of actinomycetes showed that Ca²⁺ regulated aerial mycelium formation in 21 (58%) of them. The Ca²⁺ concentration required for aerial mycelium formation in the culture medium ranged from 0.1 to 1.5 mM.