A PAK-like protein kinase is required for maturation of young hyphae and septation in the filamentous ascomycete Ashbya gossypii

• DOI: 10.1242/jcs.113.24.4563
• Publication Date: 2021-04-25T18:31:13Z
• Authors: Yasmina Ayad-Durieux; Philipp Knechtle; Stephen Goff; Fred Dietrich; Peter Philippsen
• Keywords: Filamentous fungus; Fungal protein

ABSTRACT Filamentous fungi grow by hyphal extension, which is an extreme example of polarized growth. In contrast to yeast species, where growth the tip emerging bud temporally limited, filamentous exhibit constitutive tip. many fungi, including Ashbya gossypii, reinforced a process called maturation. Hyphal maturation refers developmental switch from slow-growing hyphae young mycelium fast-growing mature mycelium. This essential for efficient expansion We report first time on identification and characterization fungal gene important novel A. gossypii encodes presumptive PAK (p21-activated kinase)-like kinase. Its closest homolog S. cerevisiae Cla4 protein kinase; therefore AgCla4p. Agcla4 deletion strains are no longer able perform hyphae, GFP (green fluorescent protein)-tagged AgCla4p localizes with much higher frequency in tips than tips. Both results support importance also required septation, indicated inability properly form actin rings chitin rings. Despite requirement development not necessary polarization per se, because enriched cortical patches fully developed network cables can be seen strains. The possibility that may involved regulatory mechanisms control dynamics and/or discussed.