title: Fungal morphogenesis.
abstract: Morphogenesis in fungi is often induced by extracellular factors and executed by fungal genetic factors. Cell surface changes and alterations of the microenvironment often accompany morphogenetic changes in fungi. In this review, we will first discuss the general traits of yeast and hyphal morphotypes and how morphogenesis affects development and adaptation by fungi to their native niches, including host niches. Then we will focus on the molecular machinery responsible for the two most fundamental growth forms, yeast and hyphae. Last, we will describe how fungi incorporate exogenous environmental and host signals together with genetic factors to determine their morphotype and how morphogenesis, in turn, shapes the fungal microenvironment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3258.
authors.forename: Xiaorong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
authors.forename: J Andrew
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alspaugh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697.
authors.forename: Haoping
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D003599:Cytoskeleton; D004777:Environment; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development; D009024:Morphogenesis; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014774:Virulence