INVOLVEMENT OF PHYTOCHROME-MEDIATED CYCLIC-AMP IN THE SYNTHESIS AND DEPOSITION OF FUMARPROTOCETRARIC ACID ON CORTICAL HYPHAE OF CLADONIA-VERTICILLARIS

Many lichen species accumulate cortical phenolics as a response to lig ht. Cladonia verticillaris contains fumarprotocetraric acid which move s from the medulla to the cortex as a response to rehydration. This re sponse is strongly enhanced by red light or by a supply of exogenous c yclic AMP. The primary action of red light seems to be to increase end ogenous cyclic AMP production. Both effects are reversed by far-red fo llowing red light. Thus, involvement of phytochrome in the cortical de position of phenolics promoted by light can be confirmed. The increase in the amount of cortical phenols is also in part due to new synthesi s of fumarprotocetraric acid started by cortical esterase.