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The role of the subunits of the Conserved Oligomeric Golgi Complex in filamentous growth of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans
Author(s) -
Gremillion Sara
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.lb232
Subject(s) - aspergillus nidulans , golgi apparatus , microbiology and biotechnology , organelle , vesicle , biology , filamentous fungus , tip growth , function (biology) , biochemistry , enzyme , membrane , endoplasmic reticulum , gene , mutant , botany , pollen , pollen tube , pollination
Filamentous fungi grow as thin, highly‐branched cells with new, polarized growth occurring at the tips. Growth is maintained by the continuous export of plasma membrane and cell wall materials via vesicles from the Golgi apparatus. In order to maintain proper Golgi function, this organelle must continually recycle membrane components and enzymes lost by departing vesicles. The C onserved O ligomeric G olgi (COG) complex is a tethering complex involved in the docking of retrograde vesicles within the Golgi. Using the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, we are studying the eight subunits of the COG complex, COG1–8. Through a promoter replacement strategy, we have created new strains of A. nidulans that express COG proteins at lower‐than‐normal levels in order to determine which subunits are important for the function of this complex, and therefore, important for growth. When expression of the subunits COG1–4 is reduced, fungal cells are unable to maintain polarized growth. Alternatively, under‐expression of subunits COG5–8 does not appear to have a negative effect on filamentous growth. Support or Funding Information This research is supported by internal grants provided by Armstrong State University.