Autophagy in basal hyphal compartments: A green strategy of great recyclers

It has recently been reported that basal hyphal compartments of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae undergo autophagy-mediated degradation of cytoplasmic organelles, including nuclei. In this minireview, we discuss the potential physiological significance of this phenomenon in relation to the lifestyle of filamentous fungi. Autophagy-mediated degradation may provide an efficient means to recycle and translocate the contents of aging hyphae for the benefit of the mycelial entity without losing them into the surrounding environment. A possible role of nuclei as nutrient stores in multinucleate filamentous fungi is also discussed.

► Autophagy mediates degradation of organelles in basal hyphal compartments of fungi
► Autophagy at the colony interior supplies nutrition to the growing mycelial front
► A possible role of nuclei as nutrient stores is also discussed.