original_query: What is the role of mating types in the process of fungal mating?
query: What is the role of mating types in the process of fungal mating?
answer: Mating types govern fungal mating.  Homothallic fungi can mate with themselves, while heterothallic fungi require isolates of opposite mating types for mating.  Mating type genes often code for pheromones and receptors, determining compatibility and initiating the mating process.