Simple Genetic Tools to Study Fruiting Body Development in Fungi

Abstract

Unlike for animal and plant development, the molecular processes involved in shaping the multicellular fruiting bodies of fungi are almost unknown. Especially, the interplay between the mycelium, the maternal tissues and zygotic ones are seldom investigated. Here, I summarized simple genetic methods that permit to allocate site(s) of action for genes whose mutations block fruiting body development. These involve the formation of genetic mosaics and grafting, as used for many decades to study embryo development in animals and plants. They are easily implemented without the requirement of complex equipment. Yet, they provide useful information when one wants to order genes into pathways acting during fruiting body production. Examples taken from the study of the model ascomycete Podospora anserina illustrate how they can be interpreted.