Characterization and Role of Spitzenkorper in Hyphal Tip Growth and Morphogenesis

该合作项目整合了细胞学、生理学和生物化学的关键方面，以解决发育生物学中的一个主要问题：解释真菌最基本的生长过程——菌丝的顶端生长。菌丝的伸长是通过一种复杂的机制进行的，其中包括造壁囊泡向顶端的移动。在高等真菌中，囊泡聚集在菌丝尖端，形成一个独特的复合体，称为Spitzenkorper。Spitzenkorper被怀疑在根尖生长中起核心作用，但其确切的功能和控制其作用的机制尚不清楚。通过生长细胞的相关视频增强光学显微镜，电子显微镜，细胞化学和免疫细胞化学，研究将表征Spitzenkorper的组织和行为。根尖囊泡的表征将有助于确定它们在细胞生长中的生化作用。发育突变体将用于将Spitzenkorper行为与菌丝生长联系起来，并为极性和顶端生长的控制提供线索。

This collaborative project integrates key aspects of cytology, physiology, and biochemistry to resolve a major problem in developmental biology: explaining the most fundamental growth process in fungi -- apical growth of hyphae. Hyphae elongate by a complex mechanism involving movement of wall-building vesicles to the apex. In higher fungi, vesicles assemble in the hyphal tip to form a unique complex called the Spitzenkorper. The Spitzenkorper is suspected of playing a central role in apical growth, but its exact function and mechanisms controlling its action remain unknown. By correlation video-enhanced light microscopy of growing cells, electron microscopy, cytochemistry, and immunocytochemistry, the research will characterize Spitzenkorper organization and behavior. Characterization of apical vesicles will allow determination of their biochemical roles in cell growth. Developmental mutants will be used to correlate Spitzenkorper behavior with hyphal growth and provide clues concerning the control of polarity and apical growth.