serval:BIB_0017F15B0B98
Spatial focalization of pheromone/MAPK signaling triggers commitment to cell-cell fusion.
10.1101/gad.286922.116
000386544900008
27798845
Dudin
O.
author
Merlini
L.
author
Martin
S.G.
author
article
2016
Genes and Development
0890-9369
0890-9369
journal
30
19
2226-2239
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.
G-protein-coupled receptor signaling
MAP kinase cascade
cell–cell fusion
fertilization
fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe
formin
pheromone
eng
60_published
true
peer-reviewed
University of Lausanne
mailto:serval_help@unil.ch
http://www.unil.ch/serval
http://serval.unil.ch/disclaimer
https://serval.unil.ch/notice/serval:BIB_0017F15B0B98