title: Neurons show the path: tip-to-nucleus communication in filamentous fungal development and pathogenesis.
abstract: Multiple fungal species penetrate substrates and accomplish host invasion through the fast, permanent and unidirectional extension of filamentous cells known as hyphae. Polar growth of hyphae results, however, in a significant increase in the distance between the polarity site, which also receives the earliest information about ambient conditions, and nuclei, where adaptive responses are executed. Recent studies demonstrate that these long distances are overcome by signal transduction pathways which convey sensory information from the polarity site to nuclei, controlling development and pathogenesis. The present review compares the striking connections of the mechanisms for long-distance communication in hyphae with those from neurons, and discusses the importance of their study in order to understand invasion and dissemination processes of filamentous fungi, and design strategies for developmental control in the future.
authors: Biochemistry II laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 San Sebastian, Spain oier.echeveste@ehu.eus.
authors: Oier
authors: O
authors: Etxebeste
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors: Eduardo A
authors: EA
authors: Espeso
mesh_terms: D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D025282:Mycelium / Q000254:growth & development*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014588:Ustilago / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: development; filamentous fungi; neuronal polarization; polar growth; signal transduction; vegetative hyphae