Spatiotemporal compartmentalization of NADPH oxidase signaling coordinates cell fusion and predatory behavior in nematode-trapping fungi.

Distinct NADPH oxidases in Arthrobotrys flagrans coordinate cell fusion and prey capture through spatially compartmentalized ROS signaling.

• Why it matters: Understanding how ROS signaling is precisely regulated in fungi is crucial for revealing mechanisms of fungal development and predatory behavior, filling a gap in knowledge about ROS's dual roles.
• What they did: The study examined two NADPH oxidases, NoxA and NoxB, using localization and functional analyses, demonstrating their specialized roles in hyphal fusion and trap formation in A. flagrans.
• The result: Findings show that NoxA and NoxB generate ROS in specific cellular regions, enabling controlled morphogenesis and predation, and suggest H2O2 as a diffusible signaling molecule between fungal cells.