Molecular genetic analysis of genes controlling morphogenesis: Dimorphic switching in the fungus Penicillium marneffei

真菌有两种主要的生长形式：单细胞酵母和多细胞霉菌（丝状菌丝）。一些真菌可以在这两种形式之间交替响应环境刺激，这一过程被称为二态转换。这两种形式的细胞具有由信号通路触发的全基因组表达模式建立的独特形状和生理能力。本研究的目的是了解控制二态转换的基本机制，使用马尔尼菲青霉菌，一个模型系统。马尔尼菲酵母菌对温度的反应是在酵母菌和丝状菌之间转换。揭示控制二态转换的分子机制对生物技术和医学具有重要意义。

Fungi exist in two predominant growth forms; unicellular yeast and multicellular mould (filamentous hyphae). Some fungi can alternate between these two forms in response to environmental stimuli, a process known as dimorphic switching. The cells of these two forms have distinctive shapes and physiological capacities established by genome-wide expression patterns that are triggered by signalling pathways. This research aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms controlling dimorphic switching using Penicillium marneffei, a model system. P. marneffei switches between yeast and filamentous forms in response to temperature. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms that control dimorphic switching has important implications for biotechnology and medicine.