Cell fusion in Neurospora crassa.
In recent years, the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa has advanced as a model organism for studying eukaryotic cell-cell communication and fusion. Cell merger in this fungus employs an unusual mode of communication, in which the fusion partners appear to switch between signal sending and receiving. Many molecular factors mediating this intriguing mechanism and the subsequent membrane merger have been identified. It has become apparent that conserved factors, such as MAP kinases, NADPH oxidases and the STRIPAK complex, together with fungal specific proteins are wired into an intricate signaling network. Here, we will present an overview of recent findings on the molecular mechanism mediating fusion in N. crassa and will discuss the current working model.
Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
Stephanie
S
Herzog
Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
Marcel R
MR
Schumann
Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany. Electronic address: a.fleissner@tu-bs.de.
André
A
Fleißner
D002459:Cell Fusion; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases