Structure, function, regulation: experimental analysis in groups of non-excitable cells coupled via permeable...

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Mycology

Background:

• Permeable junctions, including microplasmodesmata, septal pores, and gap junctions, facilitate direct cell-to-cell communication.
• Ionic fluxes and electric currents play a role in intercellular signaling and power distribution across these junctions.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending self-organization in multicellular systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the functional properties of diverse permeable cell-cell junctions.
• To explore the role of ionic fluxes and electric currents in intercellular communication.
• To discuss approaches for studying the molecular and genetic basis of self-organization in systems with permeable junctions.

Main Methods:

• Comparative review of functional properties of microplasmodesmata, fungal septal pores, and animal gap junctions.
• Analysis of ionic fluxes and electric current distribution through permeable junctions.
• Investigation of intercellular communication during apical hyphal growth in Neurospora crassa wild-type and mutant strains.

Main Results:

• Permeable junctions exhibit diverse functional properties enabling intercellular communication.
• Ionic fluxes and electric currents are demonstrably involved in power distribution and signaling through these junctions.
• Intercellular communication during fungal hyphal growth provides a model for studying self-organization mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Permeable junctions are fundamental to intercellular communication and self-organization across different life forms.
• Further research into molecular and genetic mechanisms governing these junctions is essential for understanding biological self-organization.
• Neurospora crassa serves as a valuable model system for investigating these complex cellular processes.