The mechanism of peroxisome motility in filamentous fungi

• Early endosomes transiently bind peroxisomes and move along microtubules in the hyphal cell. • Bi-directional motility of early endosome causes turbulences within the cytoplasm, which enhances diffusion of peroxisomes. • Both mechanisms cooperate to distribute peroxisomes, as well as lipid droplets in hyphae. Peroxisomes (POs) are an essential part of the fungal cell’s inventory. They are involved in cellular lipid homeostasis, reactive oxygen metabolism and in the synthesis of secondary metabolites. These functions are thought to require frequent organelle-organelle interactions and the even-distribution of POs in fungal hypha. Recent work in the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis and the ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans reveals a crucial role of early endosomes (EEs) in the dynamic behavior of POs required for their cellular distribution and interaction. This article summarizes the main findings, which provided unexpected insight into the mechanism by which fungal cells organize themselves.