FUS1Regulates the Opening and Expansion of Fusion Pores between Mating Yeast

• DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e05-11-1015
• Publication Date: 2006-02-23T01:25:40Z
• Authors: Scott Nolan; Ann E. Cowan; Dennis E. Koppel; Hui Jin; Eric Grote
• Keywords: Cell fusion; Mating of yeast; Permeance

Mating yeast cells provide a genetically accessible system for the study of cell fusion. The dynamics fusion pores between were analyzed by following exchange fluorescent markers partners. Upon plasma membrane fusion, cytoplasmic GFP and DsRed diffuse at rates proportional to size pore. permeance measurements reveal that typical pore opens with burst then gradually expands. In some mating pairs, sudden increase in was found, consistent opening second contrast, other closed after permitting limited amount exchange. Deletion FUS1 from both partners caused >10-fold reduction initial expansion rate Although fus1 pairs also have defect degrading wall separates before mutants remodeling defects had more modest effects on permeance. Karyogamy is delayed >1 h possibly as consequence retarded expansion.