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Molecular mechanisms of mechanosensing and their roles in fungal contact sensing

2008; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 6; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nrmicro1960

1740-1534

Carol A. Kumamoto,

Ion channel regulation and function

The ability to sense contact with an appropriate surface contributes to the ability of fungal pathogens such asMagnaporthe grisea and Candida albicansto cause disease in their respective hosts. This Review discusses molecular mechanisms of mechanosensitivity, the proteins involved and their putative roles in fungal contact sensing. Numerous fungal species respond to contact with a surface by undergoing differentiation. Contact between plant pathogenic fungi and a surface results in the elaboration of the complex structures that enable invasion of the host plant, and for the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans, contact with a semi-solid surface results in invasive growth into the subjacent material. The ability to sense contact with an appropriate surface therefore contributes to the ability of these fungi to cause disease in their respective hosts. This Review discusses molecular mechanisms of mechanosensitivity, the proteins involved, such as mechanosensitive ion channels, G-protein-coupled receptors and integrins, and their putative roles in fungal contact sensing.