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Abstract
To exploit plants as living substrates, biotrophic fungi have evolved remarkable variations
of their tubular cells, the hyphae. They form infection structures such as appressoria,
penetration hyphae and infection hyphae to invade the plant with minimal damage to
host cells. To establish compatibility with the host, controlled secretory activity
and distinct interface layers appear to be essential. Colletotrichum species switch
from initial biotrophic to necrotrophic growth and are amenable to mutant analysis
and molecular studies. Obligate biotrophic rust fungi can form the most specialized
hypha: the haustorium. Gene expression and immunocytological studies with rust fungi
support the idea that the haustorium is a transfer apparatus for the long-term absorption
of host nutrients.