title: The role of +TIPs in directional tip expansion.
abstract: Aspergillus nidulans is an ideal model to study nuclear migration and intracellular transport by dynein and kinesin owing to its long neuron-like hyphae, conserved transport mechanisms, and powerful genetics. In this organism, as in other filamentous fungi, microtubules have been implicated in patterning cell shape through polarized tip growth - the hallmark mode of growth that generates the elongated hyphae. Exactly how microtubules regulate tip growth is incompletely understood and remains a fascinating question for various cell types, such as pollen tubes and root hairs. Zeng et al. (2014) describe important new findings in A. nidulans regarding the role of EBA, the master regulator of microtubule plus end-tracking proteins, in specifying microtubule dynamics required for directional tip growth at the hyphal tip.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, 221 Morrill South, 611 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Yili
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Wei-Lih
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008868:Microtubule Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008868:Microtubule Proteins