Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 27, 2025

CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in the Filamentous Ascomycete Huntiella omanensis
07:25

CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in the Filamentous Ascomycete Huntiella omanensis

Published on: June 9, 2020

10.0K

The ERMES (Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria Encounter Structures) mediated functions in fungi

Deepika Kundu1, Ritu Pasrija1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India.

Mitochondrion
|February 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria encounter structures (ERMES) complex is vital for fungal mitochondrial health and function. Its unique presence in fungi makes ERMES a potential target for novel antifungal drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Cellular organelles create specialized microenvironments for distinct cellular functions.
  • Mitochondria are dynamic, double-membraned organelles crucial for cellular energy, undergoing constant fusion and fission.
  • Mitochondria interact extensively with other organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), to maintain cellular homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the distribution and impact of the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria encounter structures (ERMES) complex across various fungal systems.
  • To highlight the significance of ERMES in maintaining mitochondrial morphology and function in fungi.
  • To explore the potential of ERMES as a therapeutic target for antifungal drug development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing data from diverse fungal systems.
  • Analysis of reported interactions between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.
  • Examination of the functional consequences of ERMES disruption in fungi.

Main Results:

  • ERMES is a multiprotein complex essential for mitochondrial morphology and function in fungi.
  • Disruption of ERMES impacts phospholipid exchange, drug resistance, and pathogenicity in fungal species.
  • The ERMES assembly appears to be a conserved and unique feature of fungal systems.

Conclusions:

  • The ERMES complex plays a critical role in fungal mitochondrial fitness.
  • Understanding ERMES distribution and function can inform the development of targeted antifungal strategies.
  • ERMES represents a promising target for novel antifungal therapies due to its fungal-specific nature.
Keywords:
ERMESEndoplasmic ReticulumFungiMitochondriaMitochondria associated membranes’s (MAM)Phospholipid trafficking

More Related Videos

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions11:42

Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions

Published on: September 30, 2016

14.9K
Using Ustilago maydis as a Trojan Horse for In Situ Delivery of Maize Proteins05:38

Using Ustilago maydis as a Trojan Horse for In Situ Delivery of Maize Proteins

Published on: February 8, 2019

11.8K

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...
1.4K
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...
887
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
734
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...
874
Yeast Signaling01:28

Yeast Signaling

Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
17.0K
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
46.4K