[Endomembrane system of fungi: traditional and modern conceptions]

Tsitologiia
|February 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This review revisits the fungal endomembrane system, focusing on organelles like lomasomes. It explores why these structures are overlooked in modern mycology and their role in fungal exo- and endocytosis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology

Context:

  • The endomembrane system in Fungi is crucial for cellular processes like exo- and endocytosis.
  • Classical electron microscopy studies identified organelles that are now less recognized.

Purpose:

  • To review the fungal endomembrane system, emphasizing classical electron microscopy findings.
  • To discuss the potential reasons for the under-identification of certain endomembrane organelles in modern mycology.

Summary:

  • This review examines the fungal endomembrane system, focusing on organelles such as lomasomes, plasmalemmasomes, membranosomes, and myelin-like bodies.
  • It analyzes classical studies using electron microscopy and contrasts them with modern techniques, questioning the 'loss' of these structures in current scientific understanding.
  • The review also touches upon endobionts in mushroom mycelium and changes in endomembrane structures under nitrogen limitation.

Impact:

  • Re-evaluates the significance of classical observations on fungal cell structures.
  • Provides a foundation for re-identifying and understanding the roles of previously described endomembrane organelles.
  • Highlights potential areas for future research in fungal cell biology and endomembrane dynamics.

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
2.6K
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
2.1K
Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
183.5K
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:37

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal...
19.8K
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

30.0K
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
2.5K