Cryptococcus NTR fused clamp formation phenotype

[dianeoinglis]

Related to but distinct from tracker issue #101

Proposed new terms: 'presence of fused clamp connections' 'absence of fused clamp connections' --'altered clamp connection formation phenotype' ----'fused clamp connection formation phenotype' --'altered fused clamp connection formation' phenotype -----'abolished fused clamp connection formation' --'altered unfused clamp connection formation' -----'abolished unfused clamp connection formation'

A clamp connection is a structure that separates differing nuclei from mating of hyphae of differing sexual types, into distinct hyphal segments that are separated by septa (cross walls). Unfused clamp connections are formed during same-sex mating (haploid/monokaryotic fruiting) when a clamp cell forms but does not fuse with the adjacent subapical cell.

This is an all or none phenotype and defects are typically morphological so I doubt that 'increased' or 'decreased'will be needed. The "connection formation" sounds odd to me but is what it is. If there is a better suggestion, it would be most welcome.

Thank you, Diane

[kylliechang]

Hi, these are the suggested terms and definition for "fused clamp connections." Please give feed back on the definitions. If they look okay, we'll update the terms in the ontology:

"fused clamp connection phenotype def: A hyphal cell phenotype that describes a structure that separates differing nuclei from mating of hyphae of differing sexual types, into distinct hyphal segments that are separated by septa (cross walls)."

"presence of fused clamp connection (is_a fused clamp connection phenotype) def: A fused clamp connection phenotype where a microbe exhibits fused clamp connections."

"absence of fused clamp connection (is_a fused clamp connection phenotype) def: A fused clamp connection phenotype where a microbe lacks fused clamp connections."

"altered fused clamp connection (is_a fused clamp connection phenotype) def: A fused clamp connection phenotype where the morphology of the clamp connection is altered relative to a designated control."

Thanks, Kyllie

[dianeoinglis]

Hi Actually, the clamp cells have monokaryotic/haploid nuclei. The formation of a fused clamp, or clamp fusion brings the two haploid nuclei from mating compatible strains in the same compartment where karyogamy (nuclear fusion) occurs. Hope that helps clarify this term. Thanks, Diane

[dianeoinglis]

I'll add that recombination and meiosis follows karyogamy with the end result being tbe formation of recombinant haploid basidiospores.

[dianeoinglis]

And, formation of fused clamps is a sexual process.