Mechanical Strategies Supporting Growth and Size Diversity in Filamentous Fungi

The stereotypical tip growth of filamentous fungi supports their lifestyles and functions. It relies on the polarized remodeling and expansion of a protective elastic cell wall (CW) driven by large cytoplasmic turgor pressure. Remarkably, hyphal filament diameters, and cell elongation rates can vary extensively among different fungi. To date, however, how fungal cell mechanics may be adapted to support these morphological diversities while ensuring surface integrity remains unknown. Here, we combined super-resolution imaging and deflation assays, to measure local CW thickness, elasticity and turgor in a set of fungal species spread on the evolutionary tree that span a large range in cell size and growth speeds. While CW elasticity exhibited dispersed values presumably reflecting differences in CW composition, both thickness and turgor scaled in dose-dependence with cell diameter and growth speeds. Notably, larger cells exhibited thinner lateral CWs, and faster cells thinner apical CWs. Counterintuitively, turgor pressure was also inversely scaled with cell diameter and tip growth speed, challenging the idea that turgor is the primary factor dictating tip elongation rates. We propose that fast growing cells with rapid CW turnover have evolved strategies based on a less turgid cytoplasm and thin walls to safeguard wall integrity and survival.