title: Invasive hyphal growth: an F-actin depleted zone is associated with invasive hyphae of the oomycetes Achlya bisexualis and Phytophthora cinnamomi.
abstract: We have compared F-actin patterns in invasive and non-invasive oomycete hyphae. In Achlya bisexualis an F-actin depleted zone is present in 70% of invasive but only 9% of non-invasive hyphae. In Phytophthora cinnamomi these figures are 74 and 20%, respectively. Thus, the F-actin depleted zone appears to be associated with invasive growth. TEM images indicate that it is unlikely to represent areas of vesicle accumulation. Measurements of turgor indicate no significant increase under invasive conditions (0.65 MPa (invasive) and 0.63 MPa (non-invasive)). Similarly we found no difference in burst pressures (1.04 MPa (invasive) and 1.06 MPa (non-invasive)), although surrounding agarose may lead to overestimates of invasive tip strength. An F-actin depleted zone has the potential, along with wall softening, to increase protrusive force in the absence of turgor increases. Staining of F-actin in hyphae under hyperosmotic conditions suggests that decreases in F-actin at growing tips may also enable non-invasive growth at very low turgor.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sophie K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Kenny
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chitcholtan
authors.forename: YuPing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Gabrielle M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Christenhusz
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garrill
mesh_terms: D044743:Achlya / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis*; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D025301:Hyphae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000199:Actins