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WHI-2 Regulates Intercellular Communication via a MAP Kinase Signaling Complex

A Pedro Gonçalves1, Karen M Chow1, Sara Cea-Sánchez2

  • 1Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|February 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

WHI-2 protein is crucial for fungal cell fusion and communication in Neurospora crassa. It regulates endocytosis and signaling pathways essential for forming mycelial networks.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Fungal mycelial network formation relies on somatic cell fusion of germinating spores.
  • Chemotropic growth in Neurospora crassa germlings involves mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades.
  • Mutations in Δwhi-2, Δcsp-6, and Δamph-1 disrupt cell fusion and communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of WHI-2 in fungal cell fusion and signaling.
  • To elucidate the roles of CSP-6 and AMPH-1 in these processes.
  • To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying chemotropic interactions and cell fusion in Neurospora crassa.

Main Methods:

  • Localization studies of WHI-2.
  • Analysis of mutant phenotypes (Δwhi-2, Δcsp-6, Δamph-1).
  • Investigation of MAPK pathway signaling and transcription factor targeting.

Main Results:

  • WHI-2 localizes to the cell periphery and is vital for endocytosis, mitochondrial organization, sporulation, and cell fusion.
  • WHI-2 mediates signal transduction through the NRC-1/MEK-2/MAK-2 MAPK pathway.
  • Δamph-1 mutants' deficiencies were rescued by WHI-2 mis-expression, and CSP-6 activity is essential for fusion.

Conclusions:

  • WHI-2 plays a multifaceted role in fungal development, including regulating endocytosis and MAPK signaling.
  • The study identifies WHI-2, CSP-6, and AMPH-1 as key genetic components in Neurospora crassa cell fusion.
  • WHI-2's role in endocytosis may be critical for signal perception during chemotropic interactions.
Keywords:
AMPH-1CSP-6MAPKWHI-2cell fusionendocytosis

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