The yeast cell wall, a dynamic structure engaged in growth and morphogenesis.

The cell wall, a tough shell surrounding the plasma membrane, is required for survival of the fungal cell. Deprived of it, the cell would burst under the stress of the internal turgor pressure. The wall also acts as filter for large molecules [l]. By this definition, the function of the wall appears to be static. However, the cell wall is constantly changing its size and shape, to accompany growth of the cell. Indeed, it is the cell wall that imparts shape to the fungal cells. In mycelial fungi, the advance of the organism in search of nutrients is led by the cell wall, and so is infection in pathogenic fungi. During cytokinesis, a specialized variant of the cell wall, the septum, is formed to separate the two dividing cells. Thus synthesis of the cell wall and septum can and has been used as a model for morphogenesis [2]. Because the formation of these structures must of necessity be co-ordinated with cell division, study of the mechanisms that regulate their synthesis can also lead to new information about cell cycle controls. Finally, inhibition of cell wall and septum formation is incompatible with cell growth, therefore these organelles are attractive targets for antifungal agents [3].