Photobiology and circadian clocks in neurospora

Abstract

Light sensing and circadian rhythmicity are two related processes that promote the adaptation of many fungal species to their environment. This chapter begins with a description of fungal photoreceptors and their distributions across fungal lineages. We then discuss in some detail the molecular mechanisms of the photoresponse in two well-studied model fungi, Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans, placing an emphasis on the important similarities and differences between the two species. This will lead to a description of circadian rhythmicity in fungi in general, with a particular emphasis on Neurospora crassa. We highlight the core mechanism in this organism as well as discuss the inputs and outputs that can affect the clock. We also note at the end some new developments in molecular genetics in Neurospora.