Vegetative incompatibility in filamentous fungi: a roundabout way of understanding the phenomenon

Vegetative incompatibility limits heterokaryon formation in fungi. It results from genetic differences at specific loci (het loci). Characterization of het genes and, more recently, of incompatibility reaction suppressors has, provided insight into the mechanisms involved. A link between development, vegetative incompatibility and signaling pathways has been established in Podospora anserina.