Plasma Membrane Integrity During Cell–Cell Fusion and in Response to Pore-Forming Drugs Is Promoted by the Penta-EF-Hand Protein PEF1 in Neurospora crassa

Author:

Schumann Marcel René,Brandt Ulrike,Adis Christian,Hartung Lisa1,Fleißner André1

Affiliation:

1. Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106, Germany

Abstract

Abstract In this study, Schumann et al. identify the penta-EF-hand protein PEF1 of the genetic model fungus Neurospora crassa as part of the cellular response to different types of membrane injury... Plasma membrane damage commonly occurs during cellular growth and development. To counteract these potentially lethal injuries, membrane repair mechanisms have evolved, which promote the integrity of the lipid bilayer. Although the membrane of fungi is the target of important clinical drugs and agricultural fungicides, the molecular mechanisms which mediate membrane repair in these organisms remain elusive. Here we identify the penta-EF-hand protein PEF1 of the genetic model fungus Neurospora crassa as part of a cellular response mechanism against different types of membrane injury. Deletion of the pef1 gene in the wild type and different lysis-prone gene knockout mutants revealed a function of the protein in maintaining cell integrity during cell–cell fusion and in the presence of pore-forming drugs, such as the plant defense compound tomatine. By fluorescence and live-cell imaging we show that green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged PEF1 accumulates at the sites of membrane injury in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Site-directed mutagenesis identified Ca2+-binding domains essential for the spatial dynamics and function of the protein. In addition, the subcellular localization of PEF1 revealed that the syncytial fungal colony undergoes compartmentation in response to antifungal treatment. We propose that plasma membrane repair in fungi constitutes an additional line of defense against membrane-disturbing drugs, thereby expanding the current model of fungal drug resistance mechanisms.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Genetics

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3