Open AccessCell polarization in budding and fission yeasts
Author(s) -
Martin Sophie G.,
Arkowitz Robert A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6976.12055
Subject(s) - biology , schizosaccharomyces pombe , schizosaccharomyces , saccharomyces cerevisiae , yeast , microbiology and biotechnology , cell polarity , budding yeast , gtpase , compartmentalization (fire protection) , cell , genetics , biochemistry , enzyme
Polarization is a fundamental cellular property, which is essential for the function of numerous cell types. Over the past three to four decades, research using the best‐established yeast systems in cell biological research, S accharomyces cerevisiae (or budding yeast) and S chizosaccharomyces pombe (or fission yeast), has brought to light fundamental principles governing the establishment and maintenance of a polarized, asymmetric state. These two organisms, though both ascomycetes, are evolutionarily very distant and exhibit distinct shapes and modes of growth. In this review, we compare and contrast the two systems. We first highlight common cell polarization pathways, detailing the contribution of R ho GTP ases, the cytoskeleton, membrane trafficking, lipids, and protein scaffolds. We then contrast the major differences between the two organisms, describing their distinct strategies in growth site selection and growth zone dimensions and compartmentalization, which may be the basis for their distinct shapes.