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Mating type genes regulate sexual compatibility and sexual reproduction in fungi. This review focuses on recent molecular analyses of well-characterized mating systems from representative ascomycete (Neurospora crassa, Podospora anserina) and basidiomycete (Ustilago maydis, Coprinus cinereus, Schizophyllum commune) fungi. These mating systems include many conserved components, such as gene regulatory polypeptides and pheromone/receptor signal transduction cascades, as well as conserved processes, like self-nonself recognition and controlled nuclear migration. The components' structures and their genetic arrangements in the mating system vary greatly in different fungi. Although similar components and processes are also found in ascomycete yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe), the filamentous systems exhibit properties not encountered in yeast. Mating type genes act within, and control the development of, spatially differentiated fruiting bodies. The complex mating systems of basidiomycetes, unlike ascomycete systems, involve novel one-to-many specificity in both pheromone-receptor and homeodomain protein interactions.
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We thought that this supplementary information could be better presented in this format as it would be more extensive, more tailored to the user, and "organic". Please send corrections and comments to Chuck Staben. 15SEP97.
Figure 1: Mating Pheromone Signal Transduction Components. This represents a "generic" mating pheromone signal transduction pathway as one might expect to find in many ascomycetes or basidiomycetes. Yellow components are likely to be mating-type specific.
Table 1: Components
Element |
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Pheromone Precursors |
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Pheromone Processing |
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Pheromone Export |
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Pheromone Degradation |
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Pheromone Receptors |
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G-alpha |
Gpa1p | CAG1 | gpa1 | GNA1 | gpa3 | CGP1? | |
G-beta |
Ste4p | ||||||
G-gamma |
Ste18p | ||||||
Protein kinase |
Ste5p | HST20 | |||||
MEK kinase |
Ste11p | STE11 | BYR2 | ||||
MEK |
Ste7p | HST7 | BYR1 | ||||
MAP kinase |
Kss1p | ERK1 | |||||
(Repressor) |
Dig1p
Dig2p |
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Pheromone Response Transcription Factor |
Ste12p | CPH1 | prf1 | ||||
Transcript. Cofactor |
Mcm1p | ||||||
Pheromone Response Genes |
AG(alpha)1 | ALS1 | SPAC8A4.05C |
Figure 2: Homology Models: Neurospora crassa MAT a-1 HMG Box. This structure was predicted by the ExPASy Homology Modelling Program. This is the HMG box region of N. crassa MAT a-1 polypeptide. Other regions of the polypeptide are not modeled. Please note that these predictions have not been experimentally verified. Download .pdb coordinates and use Rasmol or Swiss-PDBViewer to manipulate the structure. This is a static image of MAT a-1 HMG box.