Decoding fungal communication networks: molecular signaling, genetic regulation, and ecological implications.

Fungal communication networks regulate essential biological processes, enabling fungi to adapt to environmental changes, coordinate development, and establish interactions within microbial communities. These networks are mediated by diverse signaling molecules, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), peptide signaling molecules, and quorum-sensing molecules, which facilitate intra- and interspecies communication. The intricate regulation of these signals occurs through specialized signal transduction pathways such as G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and two-component regulatory systems, allowing fungi to sense external cues and modulate their physiological responses.