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The phytohormones, abscisic acid and cytokinin, once were thought to be present uniquely in plants, but increasing evidence suggests that these hormones are present in a wide variety of organisms. Few studies have examined fungi for the presence of these "plant" hormones or addressed whether their levels differ based on the nutrition mode of the fungus. This study examined 20 temperate forest fungi of differing nutritional modes (ectomycorrhizal, wood-rotting, saprotrophic). Abscisic acid and cytokinin were present in all fungi sampled; this indicated that the sampled fungi have the capacity to synthesize these two classes of phytohormones. Of the 27 cytokinins analyzed by HPLC-ESI MS/MS, seven were present in all fungi sampled. This suggested the existence of a common cytokinin metabolic pathway in fungi that does not vary among different nutritional modes. Predictions regarding the source of isopentenyl, cis-zeatin and methylthiol CK production stemming from the tRNA degradation pathway among fungi are discussed.

SummaryFungi are models for investigating many eukaryotic molecular processes. The identification of natural antisense transcripts (NATs) in fungi led to the discovery of mechanisms for controlling gene expression through transcriptional interference, chromatin remodelling and dsRNA formation. An overview of these mechanisms and the description of specific NAT functions is provided to give context for a broader discussion of fungal NATs. Transcriptome analyses have revealed a large number of NATs in a divergent group of fungi. The timing of NAT expression suggests roles in core life functions, such as responding to the environment and sexual reproduction. The transcriptome studies also uncover a large number of NATs whose functions remain elusive. These could provide novel control of gene expression, targeted responses to stimuli, or other functions. The goal of this review is provide background for this expanding field of research while highlighting opportunities for future discoveries.