Toxins 2010, 2(4), 367-381; doi:10.3390/toxins2040367
Review

Role of the Osmotic Stress Regulatory Pathway in Morphogenesis and Secondary Metabolism in Filamentous Fungi

Rocio Duran 1 , Jeffrey W. Cary 2 email and Ana M. Calvo 1,* email
1 Department of Biological Sciences, Lincoln Hwy. 1425W., Montgomery Hall, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA 2 Food and Feed Safety Research Unit USDA, ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 19 February 2010; in revised form: 16 March 2010 / Accepted: 17 March 2010 / Published: 24 March 2010
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mycotoxin Research)
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Abstract: Environmental stimuli trigger an adaptative cellular response to optimize the probability of survival and proliferation. In eukaryotic organisms from mammals to fungi osmotic stress, mainly through the action of the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway, leads to a response necessary for adapting and surviving hyperosmotic environments. In this review we show that the osmoadaptative response is conserved but not identical in different fungi. The osmoadaptative response system is also intimately linked to morphogenesis in filamentous fungi, including mycotoxin producers. Previous studies indicate that the response to osmotic stress is also coupled to the biosynthesis of natural products, including mycotoxins.
Keywords: Aspergillus; osmotic stress; regulation; morphogenesis; secondary metabolism

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MDPI and ACS Style

Duran, R.; Cary, J.W.; Calvo, A.M. Role of the Osmotic Stress Regulatory Pathway in Morphogenesis and Secondary Metabolism in Filamentous Fungi. Toxins 2010, 2, 367-381.

AMA Style

Duran R, Cary JW, Calvo AM. Role of the Osmotic Stress Regulatory Pathway in Morphogenesis and Secondary Metabolism in Filamentous Fungi. Toxins. 2010; 2(4):367-381.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Duran, Rocio; Cary, Jeffrey W.; Calvo, Ana M. 2010. "Role of the Osmotic Stress Regulatory Pathway in Morphogenesis and Secondary Metabolism in Filamentous Fungi." Toxins 2, no. 4: 367-381.

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