Project 3: Structural and functional characterization of the agaricomycete septal pore apparatus

The vegetative body (mycelium) of the model agaricomycete Coprinopsis cinerea consists of branching and fusing filaments referred to as hyphae. This multicellular network is compartmentalized by perforated cross-walls called septa (sing: septum), which are dynamic structures able to adapt and react to environmental changes. The septal pore apparatus is the structure within the septum that is responsible for the opening and the closing of the septal pore upon environmental stress.

We hypothesize that another key function of the septal pore apparatus is maintaining the cytoplasmic bulk flow through different cellular compartments, thereby facilitating the exchange of nutrients, signals, vesicles, and organelles within the mycelium.

This project aims at the characterization the structure and function of the septal pore apparatus. We are keen to understand how this structure is involved in orchestrating the cytoplasmic bulk flow and distributing molecular signalling across the mycelial network. To achieve this, we combine microscopic, genetic, and biochemical approaches.