title: An IP3-activated Ca2+ channel regulates fungal tip growth.
abstract: Hyphal extension in fungi requires a tip-high Ca(2+) gradient, which is generated and maintained internally by inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP(3))-induced Ca(2+) release from tip-localized vesicles and subapical Ca(2+) sequestration. Using the planar bilayer method we demonstrated the presence of two types of IP(3)-activated Ca(2+) channels in Neurospora crassa membranes with different conductances: one low (13 picosiemens), the other high (77 picosiemens). On sucrose density gradients the low conductance channel co-localized with endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane, and the high conductance channel co-localized with vacuolar membranes. We correlated the effect of inhibitors on channel activity with their effect on hyphal growth and Ca(2+) gradients. The inhibitor of IP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release, 2-aminoethoxidiphenylborate (2-APB), inhibits both channels, while heparin, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, hydrochloride (TMB-8) and dantrolene inhibit only the large conductance channel. Because 2-APB inhibits hyphal growth and dissipates the tip-high cytosolic [Ca(2+)] gradient, whereas heparin microinjection, TMB-8 and dantrolene treatments do not affect growth, we suggest that the small conductance channel generates the obligatory tip-high Ca(2+) gradient during hyphal growth. Since IP(3) production must be catalyzed by tip-localized phospholipase C, we show that a number of phospholipase C inhibitors [neomycin, 1-[6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl]- 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122) (but not the inactive pyrrolidine U-73343), 3-nitrocoumarin] inhibit hyphal growth and affect, similarly to 2-APB, the location of vesicular Ca(2+) imaged by chlortetracycline staining.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada.
authors.forename: Lorelei B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Silverman-Gavrila
authors.forename: Roger R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Lew
mesh_terms: D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D005453:Fluorescence; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / Q000502:physiology*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000254:growth & development*; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; D010738:Type C Phospholipases