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Oscillatory fungal cell growth
1University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan.
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|December 13, 2017
Summary
Cell growth occurs in pulses, not continuously. Recent studies reveal that calcium (Ca2+) oscillations coordinate actin assembly and exocytosis, driving this pulsed cell extension in fungi and potentially all eukaryotes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cellular processes like growth and movement are dynamic and often driven by underlying oscillations.
- Stepwise cell extension in filamentous fungi has been known for 20 years, but molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of oscillation in cellular processes.
- To highlight the role of calcium oscillations in coordinating cell extension.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on cellular oscillations.
- Analysis of correlations between intracellular calcium levels, actin assembly, exocytosis, and cell extension.
Main Results:
- Pulsed calcium (Ca2+) influxes coordinate temporal control of actin assembly and exocytosis.
- This coordination results in stepwise cell extension observed in fungal hyphal tips.
Conclusions:
- Coordinated oscillations of cellular machinery are likely ubiquitous across eukaryotes.
- Oscillating intracellular Ca2+ levels and actin polymerization are observed in mammalian and plant cells, supporting a conserved mechanism.
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