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Turgor regulation in hyphal organisms.
Roger R Lew1, Natalia N Levina, Sophie K Walker
1Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ont., Canada M3J 1P3. planters@yorku.ca
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|October 7, 2004
Summary
Fungal turgor regulation varies between species. Neurospora crassa recovers turgor after osmotic stress, unlike Achlya bisexualis, challenging universal tip growth models.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Mycology
- Plant Physiology
Background:
- Cell turgor is crucial for fungal tip growth.
- Understanding turgor regulation mechanisms is vital for comprehending fungal development and responses to environmental stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare turgor regulation mechanisms in two distinct saprophytic hyphal organisms under osmotic stress.
- To determine if a universal mechanism drives tip growth in fungi.
Main Methods:
- Direct measurement of turgor using the pressure probe technique in Neurospora crassa and Achlya bisexualis.
- Monitoring cellular responses to both hyperosmotic and hypoosmotic treatments.
- Analyzing concurrent changes in ion transport and plasma membrane potential.
Main Results:
- Neurospora crassa, a terrestrial fungus, demonstrated turgor regulation following hyperosmotic stress, involving plasma membrane hyperpolarization and reduced ion conductance.
- Achlya bisexualis, a freshwater oomycete, failed to regulate turgor after hyperosmotic treatment, with only minor transient increases observed.
- Neither organism exhibited a turgor increase during hypoosmotic treatment, suggesting potential regulatory mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Fungal species exhibit differential turgor regulation strategies in response to osmotic challenges.
- The findings challenge the assumption of a singular, universal mechanism of turgor-driven tip growth in all hyphal fungi.