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Effect of Dimethylsulphoxide on the Germination of Spores of Lycogala epidendrum

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Abstract

RECENT researches on dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) have emphasized the capacity of this solvent to penetrate cellular membranes easily and rapidly. Jacob, Bischel and Herschler1 reported an effect of increased membrane permeability in tissue of dogs and in plants. Sciuchetti and Born2 found that DMSO apparently enhances the response of Datura tatula to a growth retardant when the DMSO is combined with the retardant. Activation of spores of Bacillus pantothenticus spores after exposure to DMSO has been reported by Widdowson3. DMSO is a reaction solvent4 and has been shown to increase the rates of many chemical reactions. Considering the possibility that DMSO activates or accelerates the initiation of metabolic processes in spores slow to germinate, the effect of this solvent on spore germination was investigated.

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References

  1. Jacob, S. W., Bischel, M., and Herschler, R. J., Curr. Therap. Res., 6, 193 (1964).

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  2. Sciuchetti, L. A., and Born, A. E., J. Pharm. Sci., 54 (2), 285 (1965).

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  3. Widdowson, J. P., Nature, 214, 812 (1967).

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  4. MacGregor, W. S., Ann. NY Acad. Sci., 141, 3 (1967).

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  1. Collection of Fungi, American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    WINIFRED BUTTERFIELD

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  1. WINIFRED BUTTERFIELD
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BUTTERFIELD, W. Effect of Dimethylsulphoxide on the Germination of Spores of Lycogala epidendrum. Nature 218, 494–495 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218494a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/218494a0

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