The Spitzenkörper: a signalling hub for the control of fungal development?

In Aspergillus nidulans, asexual development culminates in the formation of a multicellular conidiophore that bears spores known as conidia. Although several factors required for conidiophore formation have been characterized, the mechanisms underlying the transition from vegetative growth to development remain obscure. However, the recent characterization of two of these factors, FlbB and FlbE, provides important new insight. Notably, these studies suggest that the Spitzenkörper (i.e. apical body), which is known to regulate hyphal morphogenesis, might also serve as a signalling hub that co-ordinates development transitions.