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Structure, function, and motility of vacuoles in filamentous fungi

Cole1, Orlovich, Ashford

  • 1School of Biological Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia.

Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|September 22, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Motile tubular vacuoles in Pisolithus tinctorius fungi do not appear to be involved in endocytosis. New evidence supports their role in the longitudinal transport of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology
  • Fungal Physiology

Background:

  • Motile tubular vacuoles are key organelles in fungal cells, but their precise functions, particularly in Pisolithus tinctorius, remain under investigation.
  • Previous hypotheses suggested a role in endocytosis and longitudinal transport, requiring further experimental validation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and evaluate current knowledge on the structure and function of motile tubular vacuoles in Pisolithus tinctorius.
  • To differentiate true vacuole motility from potential artifacts using fluorochrome labeling.
  • To investigate the role of tubular vacuoles in nutrient transport within fungal hyphae.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of fluorochromes (FM4-64, MDY-64, Lucifer yellow CH) for labeling vacuole lumens and assessing endocytosis.
  • Microscopy and video recording to observe vacuole structure, motility, and intracellular transport.
  • X-ray microanalysis of hyphal sections to determine elemental composition (P, K) of vacuoles.

Main Results:

  • Fluorochromes typically used for yeast endocytosis showed minimal labeling in P. tinctorius hyphal tips, suggesting endocytosis is not a primary mechanism.
  • Large vacuoles in subapical cells were observed to be attached to the plasma membrane and relatively immobile.
  • Video analysis revealed pulsed movement of fluorochromes along interconnected tubular vacuoles, indicating active transport.
  • X-ray microanalysis confirmed high concentrations of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) within tubular vacuoles.

Conclusions:

  • Observations do not support the hypothesis of endocytosis occurring in the hyphal tips of P. tinctorius.
  • Evidence strongly suggests that motile tubular vacuole systems are involved in the longitudinal transport of essential elements like phosphorus and potassium.

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