CLATHRIN DYNAMICS AND ENDOCYTIC ORGANIZATION IN Aspergillus nidulans

Abstract

Polarized growth at the apex of filamentous fungi produces a unique cell type called a hypha. This form of growth found only in fungi, relies on numerous proteins to direct new growth to the cell apex. Endocytic recycling has been hypothesized to be crucial to the maintenance of the polarized localization of these protein complexes. Amongst these important complexes is clathrin, which arrives at the endocytic assembly sites and acts as a coat protein for invaginating vesicles. Clathrin was observed at three different locations in the cell: along and near the sub-apical collar, surrounding late Golgi equivalents just behind the sub-apical collar, and coating vesicles that moved throughout the cell via microtubules. The localization of clathrin will prove important in furthering the knowledge of how endocytosis contributes to the growth of filamentous fungi.