The Neurospora crassa exocyst complex tethers Spitzenkorper vesicles to the apical plasma membrane during polarized growth.

ABSTRACT: Fungal hyphae are among the most highly polarized cells. Hyphal polarized growth is supported by tip-directed transport of secretory vesicles, which accumulate temporarily in a stratified manner in an apical vesicle cluster, the Spitzenkörper. The exocyst complex is required for tethering of secretory vesicles to the apical plasma membrane. We determined that the presence of an octameric exocyst complex is required for the formation of a functional Spitzenkörper and maintenance of regular hyphal growth in Neurospora crassa. Two distinct localization patterns of exocyst subunits at the hyphal tip suggest the dynamic formation of two assemblies. The EXO-70/EXO-84 subunits are found at the peripheral part of the Spitzenkörper, which partially coincides with the outer macrovesicular layer, whe

SUBMITTER: Riquelme M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3982996 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature