| Title: | Spatial focalization of pheromone/MAPK signaling triggers commitment to cell-cell fusion |
| Author(s): | Dudin O; Merlini L; Martin SG; |
| Address: | "Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1549-5477 (Electronic) 0890-9369 (Print) 0890-9369 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Cell fusion is universal in eukaryotes for fertilization and development, but what signals this process is unknown. Here, we show in Schizosaccharomyces pombe that fusion does not require a dedicated signal but is triggered by spatial focalization of the same pheromone-GPCR (G-protein-coupled receptor)-MAPK signaling cascade that drives earlier mating events. Autocrine cells expressing the receptor for their own pheromone trigger fusion attempts independently of cell-cell contact by concentrating pheromone release at the fusion focus, a dynamic actin aster underlying the secretion of cell wall hydrolases. Pheromone receptor and MAPK cascade are similarly enriched at the fusion focus, concomitant with fusion commitment in wild-type mating pairs. This focalization promotes cell fusion by immobilizing the fusion focus, thus driving local cell wall dissolution. We propose that fusion commitment is imposed by a local increase in MAPK concentration at the fusion focus, driven by a positive feedback between fusion focus formation and focalization of pheromone release and perception" |
| Keywords: | "Autocrine Communication/physiology MAP Kinase Signaling System/*physiology Pheromones/*metabolism Receptors, Pheromone/genetics/metabolism Schizosaccharomyces/*cytology/*physiology Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/*metabolism G-protein-coupled receptor;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineDudin, Omaya Merlini, Laura Martin, Sophie G eng 2016/11/01 Genes Dev. 2016 Oct 1; 30(19):2226-2239. doi: 10.1101/gad.286922.116" |
