The ham-5, rcm-1 and rco-1 genes regulate hyphal fusion in Neurospora crassa.
Mutants of Neurospora crassa unable to participate in vegetative hyphal fusion (anastomosis) were isolated and characterized. From this analysis, three genes, rcm-1, rco-1 and ham-5, were identified and shown to be required for hyphal fusion. The rcm-1 and rco-1 genes are homologues of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SSN6 and TUP1 genes, which encode a dimeric transcription factor in yeast. We demonstrate that in N. crassa the rcm-1 and rco-1 genes are required for hyphal fusion and normal hyphal morphology, and influence both asexual and sexual development. The ham-5 gene encodes a 1686 amino acid protein with two putative WD40 domains, which might participate in protein-protein interactions. ham-5 deletion mutants had a reduced rate of hyphal extension and altered hyphal morphology, and were unable to produce the conidial anastomosis tubes that are required for hyphal fusion during colony initiation.
Department of Biological Sciences, Cooke Hall Room 109, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
Mash'el Salman
MS
Aldabbous
Fungal Cell Biology Group, Institute of Cell Biology, Rutherford Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK.
M Gabriela
MG
Roca
Department of Biological Sciences, Cooke Hall Room 109, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
Angela
A
Stout
Fungal Cell Biology Group, Institute of Cell Biology, Rutherford Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK.
I-Ching
IC
Huang
Fungal Cell Biology Group, Institute of Cell Biology, Rutherford Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK.
Nick D
ND
Read
Department of Biological Sciences, Cooke Hall Room 109, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
Stephen J
SJ
Free
D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D025301:Hyphae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D005656:Fungal Proteins; C102112:RCO-1 protein, Neurospora crassa; D012097:Repressor Proteins