(1-3)-B-D-Glucan Synthase of Neurospora crassa

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Differentiation in fungi is a direct consequence of de novo synthesis of carbohydrate polymers and their subsequent assembly, forming a cell wall. All available information clearly shows that cell wall assembly is the key morphogenic determinant for these organisms. in filamentous fungi, cell wall assembly occurs at each hyphal apex resulting in polarized growth and extension. Although the general features of cell wall structure are known, only a few details of cell wall assembly have been elucidated. This is due, in part, to the lack of appropriate mutants for genetic dissection. (1-3)-beta-D-glucan synthase activity catalyzes the formation of a linear (1-3)-beta-glucan. Glucan synthase activity is essential for normal cell wall assembly and resulting growth and development of a large number of diverse yeasts and filamentous fungi. Dr. Selitrennikoff proposes the detailed characterization of glucan synthase of a filamentous Ascomycete, Neurospora crassa. This includes: i) The purification and characterization of solubilized enzyme activity. ii) The characterization of glucan synthesis of isolated enzyme activity. iii) The analysis of glucan synthase mutants. %%% This combination of biochemical and genetic approaches will lead to significant gains in our understanding of (1,3)-beta-glucan synthase and its role in development and morphogenesis.