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Roles of calcium gradients in hyphal tip growth: a mathematical model

Carlos M. Regaladot

Depto Bioqulmicay Biologla Molecular, Facultad de Biologia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, lslas Canarias, Spain

correspondence to Carlos M. Regalado, do N. V. Torres, at the address shown.

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY: A tip-high Ca2+ gradient is observed in growing fungal hyphae, but so far its role remains unknown. A mathematical model is presented, which provides evidence for the functions of such a Ca2+ gradient, in terms of its non-linear effect on the visco-elastic properties of the hyphal cytoskeleton. The model explains how the Ca2+ status at the tip may be responsible for the apical accumulation of vesicles and for an increase in the cytogel osmotic pressure, accompanied by the contraction of the cytoskeleton. The experimentally observed retraction of the spitzenkarper preceding the initiation of a branch is also reproduced, by simulating a subapical transient release of Cat+ from internal stores.