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Calmodulin concentrates at the apex of growing hyphae and localizes to the Spitzenkörper in Aspergillus nidulans

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Summary.

The calmodulin (CaM) localization pattern in the growing hyphal tip of Aspergillus nidulans was studied with the functional GFP::CaM fusion protein. A faint tip-high gradient of CaM was found in the growing hyphal tip, with CaM highly localized in the region corresponding to the Spitzenkörper forming a bright granule. The position of highly concentrated CaM in the extreme apex seemed to determine the orientation of the hypha. The normal pattern of CaM localization was also shown to be dependent on the integrated actin cytoskeleton. When the growth of the hyphal tip ceased, CaM failed to localize in the bright granule and was evenly distributed in the hyphal tip. These findings suggest that CaM may play an important role in establishing and maintaining apical organization, morphogenesis, and growth in Aspergillus nidulans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresource Technology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing

    G. Wang, L. Lu & S. Yuan

  2. Laboratory Center, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing

    C.-Y. Zhang

  3. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, California

    A. Singapuri

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  1. G. Wang
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  2. L. Lu
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  3. C.-Y. Zhang
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  4. A. Singapuri
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  5. S. Yuan
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Correspondence to L. Lu.

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Correspondence and reprints: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresource Technology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, People’s Republic of China.

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Wang, G., Lu, L., Zhang, CY. et al. Calmodulin concentrates at the apex of growing hyphae and localizes to the Spitzenkörper in Aspergillus nidulans . Protoplasma 228, 159–166 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-006-0181-3

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