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Mating type in filamentous fungi

J W Kronstad1, C Staben

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. kronstad@unixg.ubc.ca

Annual Review of Genetics
|January 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Fungal mating type genes control sexual reproduction and compatibility. Molecular analyses reveal conserved components and processes across diverse fungi, with unique complexities in filamentous basidiomycetes.

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Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mating type genes are crucial for sexual compatibility and reproduction in fungi.
  • Understanding these genes is key to deciphering fungal life cycles and evolution.
  • Previous studies have laid the groundwork for investigating diverse fungal mating systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent molecular analyses of mating systems in representative ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi.
  • To highlight conserved and divergent features of fungal mating type genes and processes.
  • To compare mating systems in filamentous fungi with those in yeasts.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent molecular analyses of well-characterized mating systems.
  • Focus on representative ascomycete (Neurospora crassa, Podospora anserina) and basidiomycete (Ustilago maydis, Coprinus cinereus, Schizophyllum commune) fungi.
  • Comparative analysis of genetic components and regulatory mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Conserved components (e.g., gene regulatory polypeptides, pheromone/receptor cascades) and processes (e.g., self-nonself recognition, nuclear migration) were identified.
  • Significant variation exists in the structure and genetic arrangement of mating system components across different fungal species.
  • Filamentous fungal mating systems exhibit unique properties not found in yeasts, including control over fruiting body development.
  • Basidiomycete mating systems display novel one-to-many specificity in pheromone-receptor and homeodomain protein interactions, distinguishing them from ascomycete systems.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal mating type genes orchestrate complex sexual reproduction processes.
  • While conserved elements exist, fungal mating systems show remarkable diversity, particularly in filamentous species.
  • Basidiomycete mating systems possess unique interaction specificities, offering insights into fungal evolution and speciation.

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