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Graviresponses in fungi.
1School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, U.K.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Mushroom development shows complex responses to gravity, with early stages influenced by light and later stages by negative gravitropism. Gravity is crucial for maturation and spore production, with cytoskeletal changes possibly mediating perception.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Physiology
- Gravitational Biology
Background:
- Mycelial hyphal growth is generally gravity-independent.
- Specialized hyphae and fungal structures exhibit gravitropism.
- Mushroom development involves distinct tropisms at different stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gravity in mushroom development and tropisms.
- To understand the mechanisms of gravity perception in fungi.
- To explore gravimorphogenetic responses in different fungal structures.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tropisms during mushroom fruit body development.
- Clinostat and space-flown experiments to assess gravity effects.
- Investigation of cytoskeletal and signaling pathways involved in gravity response.
Main Results:
- Young mushroom primordia are phototropic; later stages exhibit negative gravitropism.
- Spore-bearing tissues show positive gravitropism, independent of the stem.
- Basic mushroom structure forms independently of gravity, but maturation requires it.
- Disturbance in bracket polypores triggers gravimorphogenetic responses.
- Cytoskeletal microfilaments and Ca2(+)-mediated signaling are implicated in gravity perception.
Conclusions:
- Mushroom development involves a switch in tropisms, linked to meiosis.
- Gravity is essential for fungal maturation and sporulation, not basic structure formation.
- Gravity perception may involve cytoskeletal elements and calcium signaling pathways.