Hyphal fusion

Abstract

Since the early days of mycology, hyphal fusion or anastomosis has been recognized as a common feature of colony establishment and development in filamentous fungi. However, the role and function of this process remained mostly unclear. In recent years, much progress in understanding the molecular basis of anastomosis has been made, and numerous genes and proteins essential for fusion were identified. Insights emerging from these studies include the notion that hyphal fusion employs conserved signaling pathways, but adopts them in unusually dynamic fashions. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that anastomosis formation and pathogenic hyphal development share common machineries to some extent. Future challenges in studying hyphal fusion include deciphering the molecular networks controlling this complex cellular process and understanding the biological function of anastomosis. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.