Cell signaling in yeast sporulation.
Gametogenesis is essential for the propagation of all sexually reproducing organisms and consists of halving the chromosome number through meiosis, and the subsequent packaging of the haploid products into gametes. Meiosis and gamete formation must be tightly coupled to ensure the formation of viable progeny; perturbations result in infertility, inviability, and birth defects. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sexual reproduction occurs via sporulation and is similar in many respects to gametogenesis in mammals. An increasing number of conserved signaling molecules have been shown to be essential for yeast sporulation; recent studies reveal molecular insights into how these molecules regulate this intricate differentiation program.
Engebrecht
JoAnne
J
Department of Pharmacological Sciences, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8651, USA. JoAnne@pharm.sunysb.edu
D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008540:Meiosis; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000502:physiology*
D005656:Fungal Proteins