Single-molecule localization microscopy to study protein organization in the filamentous fungus trichoderma atroviride

Abstract

Single-molecule localization microscopy has boosted our understanding of biological samples by offering access to subdiffraction resolution using fluorescence microscopy methods. While in standard mammalian cells this approach has found wide-spread use, its application to filamentous fungi has been scarce. This is mainly due to experimental challenges that lead to high amounts of background signal because of ample autofluorescence. Here, we report the optimization of labeling, imaging and data analysis protocols to yield the first single-molecule localization microscopy images of the filamentous fungus Trichoderma atroviride. As an example, we show the spatial distribution of the Sur7 tetraspanin-family protein Sfp2 required for hyphal growth and cell wall stability in this mycoparasitic fungus.