Inhibition of growth and development ofSerpula lacrimansby the non-metabolised amino acid analogue α-aminoisobutyric acid

Mycelium of Serpula lacrimans accumulated 14C-labelled α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) against a concentration gradient but did not metabolise it, or incorporate it into protein. Uptake of glutamic acid was inhibited in the presence of AIB to an extent proportional to the logarithm of its concentration. Translocation of AIB occurred in the mycelium over a distance of 11 cm. These results suggest that the mechanism of the previously observed inhibition by AIB of extension growth and wood decay in S. lacrimans depends on the ability of this non-metabolised amino acid to exclude utilisable amino acids from uptake systems and metabolism, thus inducing nitrogen starvation.