Isolation of Trap Cells from the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Dactylaria candida

Friman, E. 1993. Isolation of trap cells from the nematode-trapping fungus Dactylaria candida. Experimental Mycology 17, 368-370. Dactylaria candida (CBS 220.54) captures nematodes with the aid of adhesive knobs. An easy and quick method to isolate high numbers of these trap cells was developed. During growth in liquid culture with heavy aeration from the bottom, the connections between the knobs and the mycelia were broken. The mycelia were separated from free knobs and substrate by filtration through a 5-μm nylon net. The knobs were then collected on a 1.2-μm millipore filter. The isolated trap cells were able both to "capture" and complete the infection of nematodes and to germinate and colonize an agar substrate. Isolated trap cells will be useful for the isolation of trap-specific microbodies and for identification and further study of molecules involved in the nematode infection process.