Sexual pheromones in the fungi

Abstract

The capability of sexual reproduction is distributed across the eukaryotes, including the fungi. A primary influence in the sexual interaction is the exchange of information mediated by diffusible molecules, called sexual pheromones. This chapter examines the biosynthesis of pheromones and the sexual responses induced by them in different branches of the fungal kingdom, with an emphasis on the early lineages. The best-studied species are members of the Dikarya and they use pheromones derived from peptide precursors. In contrast, members of the Mucoromycotina use apocarotenoids while the Blastocladiomycota use sesquiterpenes. Comparison between these pheromones establishes evolutionary trends among the fungal lineages.