Cytokinesis in Aspergillus nidulans is controlled by cell size, nuclear positioning and mitosis

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (8) ◽  
pp. 2179-2188 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.D. Wolkow ◽  
S.D. Harris ◽  
J.E. Hamer
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Size Control ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Nuclear Positioning ◽  
Septum Formation ◽  
Nuclear Distribution ◽  
Cellular Compartments

The mycelium of Aspergillus nidulans is composed of multinucleate cellular compartments delimited by crosswalls called septa. Septum formation is dependent on mitosis and requires the recruitment of actin to the site of septum formation. Employing a collection of temperature sensitive nuclear distribution (nudA2, nudC3 and nudF7), nuclear division (nimA5, hfaB3), and septation (sepD5, sepG1) mutants, we have investigated the interdependency among nuclear positioning, mitosis, and cell growth in structuring the cellular compartments of A. nidulans. The cellular compartments of nud+ strains were highly uniform with regard to nuclear distribution and averaged 38 microns in length. Incubation of nud mutants at semi-restrictive temperature resulted in aberrant nuclear distribution that appeared to direct the formation of variable-sized cellular compartments, ranging from 5 microns to greater than 81 microns. In germinating spores, the first septum forms at the basal end of the germ tube following the third round of nuclear division. Germlings must undergo mitosis in order to form a septum. Temperature-sensitive mitotic mutants were used to show that a single nuclear division is sufficient to activate septum formation, provided a critical cell size has been attained. In mitotic mutants and wild-type cells, delays in nuclear division resulted in the misplacement of the first septum. These results strongly support the role of mitotic nuclei in determining septal placement, and suggest that cell size control is post-mitotic in A. nidulans.

scholarly journals Identification and characterization of Aspergillus nidulans mutants defective in cytokinesis.

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
S D Harris ◽  
J L Morrell ◽  
J E Hamer
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Temperature Shift ◽  
Mitotic Division ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
The Third ◽  
Septum Formation ◽  
New Genes

Abstract Filamentous fungi undergo cytokinesis by forming crosswalls termed septa. Here, we describe the genetic and physiological controls governing septation in Aspergillus nidulans. Germinating conidia do not form septa until the completion of their third nuclear division. The first septum is invariantly positioned at the basal end of the germ tube. Block-and-release experiments of nuclear division with benomyl or hydroxyurea, and analysis of various nuclear division mutants demonstrated that septum formation is dependent upon the third mitotic division. Block-and-release experiments with cytochalasin A and the localization of actin in germlings by indirect immunofluorescence showed that actin participated in septum formation. In addition to being concentrated at the growing hyphal tips, a band of actin was also apparent at the site of septum formation. Previous genetic analysis in A. nidulans identified four genes involved in septation (sepA-D). We have screened a new collection of temperature sensitive (ts) mutants of A. nidulans for strains that failed to form septa at the restrictive temperature but were able to complete early nuclear divisions. We identified five new genes designated sepE, G, H, I and J, along with one additional allele of a previously identified septation gene. On the basis of temperature shift experiments, nuclear counts and cell morphology, we sorted these cytokines mutants into three phenotypic classes. Interestingly, one class of mutants fails to form septa and fails to progress past the third nuclear division. This class of mutants suggests the existence of a regulatory mechanism in A. nidulans that ensures the continuation of nuclear division following the initiation of cytokinesis.

Septum formation in Aspergillus nidulans

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (S1) ◽  
pp. 396-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Momany ◽  
Jennifer L. Morrell ◽  
Steven D. Harris ◽  
John E. Hamer
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Antibody Production ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
The Third ◽  
Septum Formation ◽  
Chromosome Transmission ◽  
Insight Into

We are investigating septation in Aspergillus nidulans. We have shown that septum formation is dependent on the third nuclear division and actin is involved in this process. We have also characterized nine temperature-sensitive septation (sep) mutants. On the basis of our analysis we have divided these mutants into three phenotypic classes. We are uncovering the order of events in the septation pathway by analysis of double mutants constructed with different pairs of sep mutants. The sepB gene has been cloned and sequenced. Homology with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CTF4 gene and the phenotype of the sepB mutant support a role in monitoring the fidelity of chromosome transmission. We are also investigating the role of the asp genes (Aspergillus septins). Three asp genes were identified by homology with the S. cerevisiae septins. aspB has been cloned, sequenced, and fused to a biotinylated tag for antibody production. Antibody production and localization studies are now underway. Because septation requires the integration of several cellular processes, our studies should give insight into the cell cycle, cell wall biosnythesis and development of A. nidulans. Key words: septation, cytokinesis, Aspergillus nidulans.

scholarly journals Mitotic mutants ofAspergillus nidulans

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ronald Morris
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Complementation Group ◽  
Gene Symbol ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Temperature Sensitive Mutants ◽  
Ofaspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Complementation Groups ◽  
Genetic Clustering

SUMMARYForty-five temperature-sensitive mutants ofAspergillus nidulanswhich are defective in nuclear division, septation or distribution of nuclei along the mycelium have been isolated, and most have been subjected to complementation analysis and mapped to chromosome. Thirty-five of the mutants were unable to complete nuclear division at the restrictive temperature. Twenty-six of these mutants exhibited a co-ordinate drop in both spindle and chromosome mitotic indices at 42 °C, indicating that they fail to enter mitosis. These mutants have been assigned to the gene symbolnim. Nine mutants exhibited a co-ordinate rise in spindle and chromosome mitotic indices at 42 °C, indicating that they are arrested in mitosis. These mutants were assigned the gene symbolbim. Five mutants failed to form septa and were given the gene symbolsep; and five mutants had an abnormal nuclear distribution and were given the gene symbolnud. All of the mutations were recessive. Most of the mutants were in different complementation groups. Mutants in the same complementation groups were phenotypically similar, but phenotypically similar mutants were not necessarily or usually in the same complementation group. There was no evidence for genetic clustering of phenotypically similar mutants. The mutants were located on all eight chromosomes.

The PHOA and PHOB Cyclin-Dependent Kinases Perform an Essential Function in Aspergillus nidulans

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (3) ◽  
pp. 1105-1115
Author(s):  
Xiaowei Dou ◽  
Dongliang Wu ◽  
Weiling An ◽  
Jonathan Davies ◽  
Shahr B Hashmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Null Alleles ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase ◽  
Essential Function

Abstract Unlike Pho85 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the highly related PHOA cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) of Aspergillus nidulans plays no role in regulation of enzymes involved in phosphorous acquisition but instead modulates differentiation in response to environmental conditions, including limited phosphorous. Like PHO85, Aspergillus phoA is a nonessential gene. However, we find that expression of dominant-negative PHOA inhibits growth, suggesting it may have an essential but redundant function. Supporting this we have identified another cyclin-dependent kinase, PHOB, which is 77% identical to PHOA. Deletion of phoB causes no phenotype, even under phosphorous-limited growth conditions. To investigate the function of phoA/phoB, double mutants were selected from a cross of strains containing null alleles and by generating a temperature-sensitive allele of phoA in a ΔphoB background. Double-deleted ascospores were able to germinate but had a limited capacity for nuclear division, suggesting a cell cycle defect. Longer germination revealed morphological defects. The temperature-sensitive phoA allele caused both nuclear division and polarity defects at restrictive temperature, which could be complemented by expression of mammalian CDK5. Therefore, an essential function exists in A. nidulans for the Pho85-like kinase pair PHOA and PHOB, which may involve cell cycle control and morphogenesis.

scholarly journals hyp Loci Control Cell Pattern Formation in the Vegetative Mycelium of Aspergillus nidulans

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 669-680
Author(s):  
Susan G W Kaminskyj ◽  
John E Hamer
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Tip Growth ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Apical Cell ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Temperature Shift ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Apical Cells

Abstract Aspergillus nidulans grows by apical extension of multinucleate cells called hyphae that are subdivided by the insertion of crosswalls called septa. Apical cells vary in length and number of nuclei, whereas subapical cells are typically 40 μm long with three to four nuclei. Apical cells have active mitotic cycles, whereas subapical cells are arrested for growth and mitosis until branch formation reinitiates tip growth and nuclear divisions. This multicellular growth pattern requires coordination between localized growth, nuclear division, and septation. We searched a temperature-sensitive mutant collection for strains with conditional defects in growth patterning and identified six mutants (designated hyp for hypercellular). The identified hyp mutations are nonlethal, recessive defects in five unlinked genes (hypA-hypE). Phenotypic analyses showed that these hyp mutants have aberrant patterns of septation and show defects in polarity establishment and tip growth, but they have normal nuclear division cycles and can complete the asexual growth cycle at restrictive temperature. Temperature shift analysis revealed that hypD and hypE play general roles in hyphal morphogenesis, since inactivation of these genes resulted in a general widening of apical and subapical cells. Interestingly, loss of hypA or hypB function lead to a cessation of apical cell growth but activated isotropic growth and mitosis in subapical cells. The inferred functions of hypA and hypB suggest a mechanism for coordinating apical growth, subapical cell arrest, and mitosis in A. nidulans.

Regulation of Septum Formation in Aspergillus nidulans by a DNA Damage Checkpoint Pathway

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 1055-1067
Author(s):  
Steven D Harris ◽  
Peter R Kraus
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Dna Damage Checkpoint ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Dna Metabolism ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Checkpoint Response ◽  
Septum Formation ◽  
Checkpoint Pathway

Abstract In Aspergillus nidulans, germinating conidia undergo multiple rounds of nuclear division before the formation of the first septum. Previous characterization of temperature-sensitive sepB and sepJ mutations showed that although they block septation, they also cause moderate defects in chromosomal DNA metabolism. Results presented here demonstrate that a variety of other perturbations of chromosomal DNA metabolism also delay septum formation, suggesting that this is a general cellular response to the presence of sublethal DNA damage. Genetic evidence is provided that suggests that high levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) activity are required for septation in A. nidulans. Consistent with this notion, the inhibition of septum formation triggered by defects in chromosomal DNA metabolism depends upon Tyr-15 phosphorylation of the mitotic cdk p34nimX. Moreover, this response also requires elements of the DNA damage checkpoint pathway. A model is proposed that suggests that the DNA damage checkpoint response represents one of multiple sensory inputs that modulates p34nimX activity to control the timing of septum formation.

bimA encodes a member of the tetratricopeptide repeat family of proteins and is required for the completion of mitosis in Aspergillus nidulans

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-719
Author(s):  
K.L. O'Donnell ◽  
A.H. Osmani ◽  
S.A. Osmani ◽  
N.R. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Essential Gene ◽  
Tetratricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Integrative Transformation

The recessive, temperature-sensitive bimA1 mutation of Aspergillus nidulans blocks nuclei in metaphase at restrictive temperature. To determine whether the bimA product is essential, integrative transformation was used to create a mutation in the bimA gene. The mutation was maintained in a heterokaryon and the phenotype of spores produced by the heterokaryon was analyzed. Molecular disruption of the wild-type bimA gene is recessive in the heterokaryon and causes a metaphase block, demonstrating that bimA is an essential gene for mitosis. bimA was cloned by DNA-mediated complementation of its mutant phenotype at restrictive temperature, and the nucleotide sequence of a full-length cDNA was determined. A single large open reading frame was identified in the cDNA sequence, which predicts a protein containing 806 amino acid residues that is related (30.4% identity) to the Schizosaccharomyces pombe nuc2+ gene product, which also is required for completion of mitosis. The sequence of the bimA gene indicates that it is a member of a family of mostly nuclear proteins that contain a degenerate 34 amino acid repeat, the TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) gene family.

scholarly journals A novel histone H4 mutant defective in nuclear division and mitotic chromosome transmission.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 1017-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
M M Smith ◽  
P Yang ◽  
M S Santisteban ◽  
P W Boone ◽  
A T Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Dna Recombination ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Histone H4 ◽  
Eukaryotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Transmission

The histone proteins are essential for the assembly and function of th e eukaryotic chromosome. Here we report the first isolation of a temperature-sensitive lethal histone H4 mutant defective in mitotic chromosome transmission Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The mutant requires two amino acid substitutions in histone H4: a lethal Thr-to-Ile change at position 82, which lies within one of the DNA-binding surfaces of the protein, and a substitution of Ala to Val at position 89 that is an intragenic suppressor. Genetic and biochemical evidence shows that the mutant histone H4 is temperature sensitive for function but not for synthesis, deposition, or stability. The chromatin structure of 2 micrometer circle minichromosomes is temperature sensitive in vivo, consistent with a defect in H4-DNA interactions. The mutant also has defects in transcription, displaying weak Spt- phenotypes. At the restrictive temperature, mutant cells arrest in the cell cycle at nuclear division, with a large bud, a single nucleus with 2C DNA content, and a short bipolar spindle. At semipermissive temperatures, the frequency of chromosome loss is elevated 60-fold in the mutant while DNA recombination frequencies are unaffected. High-copy CSE4, encoding an H3 variant related to the mammalian CENP-A kinetochore antigen, was found to suppress the temperature sensitivity of the mutant without suppressing the Spt- transcription defect. These genetic, biochemical, and phenotypic results indicate that this novel histone H4 mutant defines one or more chromatin-dependent steps in chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals Mitochondria and nuclei move by different mechanisms in Aspergillus nidulans.

1985 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 2392-2397 ◽  
Author(s):  
B R Oakley ◽  
J E Rinehart
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Filamentous Fungus ◽  
Colony Formation ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Nuclear Movement ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Mitochondrial Movement ◽  
Tubulin Mutations ◽  
Microtubule Function

We have examined the effects of the antimicrotubule agent benomyl and several mutations on nuclear and mitochondrial movement in germlings of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. While, as previously reported, benomyl inhibited nuclear division and movement, it did not inhibit mitochondrial movement. To test the effects of benomyl more rigorously, we germinated two benomyl super-sensitive, beta-tubulin mutants at a benomyl concentration 50-100 times greater than that required to inhibit colony formation completely. Again nuclear division and movement were inhibited, but mitochondrial movement was not. We also examined conditionally lethal beta-tubulin mutations that disrupt microtubule function under restrictive conditions. Nuclear division and movement were inhibited but, again, mitochondrial movement was not. Finally we examined the effects of five heat-sensitive mutations that inhibit nuclear movement but not nuclear division at restrictive temperatures. These mutations strongly inhibited nuclear movement at a restrictive temperature but did not inhibit mitochondrial movement. These data demonstrate that the mechanisms of nuclear and mitochondrial movement in Aspergillus nidulans are not identical and suggest that mitochondrial movement does not require functional microtubules.

scholarly journals SwoHp, a Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase, Is Essential in Aspergillus nidulans

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 1169-1177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaorong Lin ◽  
Cory Momany ◽  
Michelle Momany
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Transferase Activity ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Permissive Temperature ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Chromosome Ii

ABSTRACT The temperature-sensitive swoH1 mutant of Aspergillus nidulans was previously identified in a screen for mutants with defects in polar growth. In the present work, we found that the swoH1 mutant swelled, lysed, and did not produce conidia during extended incubation at the restrictive temperature. When shifted from the permissive to the restrictive temperature, swoH1 showed the temperature-sensitive swelling phenotype only after 8 h at the higher temperature. The swoH gene was mapped to chromosome II and cloned by complementation of the temperature-sensitive phenotype. The sequence showed that swoH encodes a homologue of nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDKs) from other organisms. Deletion experiments showed that the swoH gene is essential. A hemagglutinin-SwoHp fusion complemented the mutant phenotype, and the purified fusion protein possessed phosphate transferase activity in thin-layer chromatography assays. Sequencing of the mutant allele showed a predicted V83F change. Structural modeling suggested that the swoH1 mutation would lead to perturbation of the NDK active site. Crude cell extracts from the swoH1 mutant grown at the permissive temperature had ∼20% of the NDK activity seen in the wild type and did not show any decrease in activity when assayed at higher temperatures. Though the data are not conclusive, the lack of temperature-sensitive NDK activity in the swoH1 mutant raises the intriguing possibility that the SwoH NDK is required for growth at elevated temperatures rather than for polarity maintenance.

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