Every ribosomal suppressor mutation in Aspergillus nidulans has a unique and highly pleiotropic phenotype

Summary 18 suppressors of alcR125 have been selected in Aspergillus nidulans. They have been located in genes as follows: 12 in suaA, 1 in suaB and 5 in suaC. Suppressors have been examined to see whether their phenotype is diagnostic for their genotype. Several new traits are described: conidial viability, cycloheximide resistance, fertility, suppression of niaD500, naaD501 and fWA1. These tests, added to those already in use, provide a battery of tests suitable for assigning suppressor mutations to physiological type (tRNA or ribosomal), and in one case to a specific gene since only suaA mutations suppressed fWA1. A very broad range of phenotypes was associated with suppressors such that every mutation had a unique phenotype. This indicates that the ribosomal suppressor mutations are in genes which code directly for ribosomal proteins, rather than genes which code for modifying enzymes.