Back to Search
Start Over
A mutation in the Neurospora crassa actin gene results in multiple defects in tip growth and branching.
- Source :
-
Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B [Fungal Genet Biol] 2004 Feb; Vol. 41 (2), pp. 213-25. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Actin has a pivotal function in hyphal morphogenesis in filamentous fungi, but it is not certain whether its function is equivalent to that of a morphogen, or if it is simply part of a mechanism that executes orders given by another regulatory entity. To address this question we selected for cytochalasin A resistance and isolated act1, the first actin mutant in Neurospora crassa. This mutant branches apically and shows an altered distribution of actin at the tip. Based on the properties of this mutant, we propose a model of tip growth and branching in which actin effects tip growth by regulating the rate of vesicle flow from proximal to distal regions of a hypha, thereby controlling the tip-high gradient of cytoplasmic calcium. The actin-controlled calcium gradient at the tip is necessary for maintenance of tip growth as well as the dominance of one polarized site at the hyphal tip. The phenotype of act1 indicates that actin controls the balance between lateral and apical branching.
- Subjects :
- Actins metabolism
Calcium metabolism
Cell Polarity
Cloning, Molecular
Cytochalasins pharmacology
Cytoplasm chemistry
Cytoplasmic Vesicles metabolism
Cytoskeletal Proteins genetics
Cytoskeletal Proteins physiology
Drug Resistance, Fungal genetics
Fungal Proteins genetics
Fungal Proteins physiology
Hyphae cytology
Hyphae growth & development
Morphogenesis genetics
Mutation
Neurospora crassa cytology
Selection, Genetic
Temperature
Actins genetics
Actins physiology
Genes, Fungal
Neurospora crassa genetics
Neurospora crassa growth & development
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1087-1845
- Volume :
- 41
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14732267
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2003.10.010