Article

Heterotrimeric G protein signaling in filamentous fungi.

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA.
Annual Review of Microbiology (impact factor: 14.35). 02/2007; 61:423-52. DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.61.080706.093432
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Filamentous fungi are multicellular eukaryotic organisms known for nutrient recycling as well as for antibiotic and food production. This group of organisms also contains the most devastating plant pathogens and several important human pathogens. Since the first report of heterotrimeric G proteins in filamentous fungi in 1993, it has been demonstrated that G proteins are essential for growth, asexual and sexual development, and virulence in both animal and plant pathogenic filamentous species. Numerous G protein subunit and G protein-coupled receptor genes have been identified, many from whole-genome sequences. Several regulatory pathways have now been delineated, including those for nutrient sensing, pheromone response and mating, and pathogenesis. This review provides a comparative analysis of G protein pathways in several filamentous species, with discussion of both unifying themes and important unique signaling paradigms.

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Keywords

filamentous fungi
 
filamentous species
 
first report
 
food production
 
G protein pathways
 
G protein-coupled receptor genes
 
G proteins
 
heterotrimeric G proteins
 
Numerous G protein subunit
 
nutrient
 
nutrient recycling
 
organisms
 
pathogenesis
 
plant pathogenic filamentous species
 
unifying themes
 
unique signaling paradigms
 
virulence
 
whole-genome sequences
 

Liande Li