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Review
. 2012 Apr;11(4):382-7.
doi: 10.1128/EC.05301-11. Epub 2012 Feb 24.

Cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes during encystment of free-living amoebae

Emilie Fouque  1 , Marie-Cécile Trouilhé, Vincent Thomas, Philippe Hartemann, Marie-Hélène Rodier, Yann Héchard
Affiliations
Review

Cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes during encystment of free-living amoebae

Emilie Fouque et al. Eukaryot Cell. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

Free-living amoebae are protozoa found in soil and water. Among them, some are pathogenic and many have been described as potential reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria. Their cell cycle is divided into at least two forms, the trophozoite and the cyst, and the differentiation process is named encystment. As cysts are more resistant to disinfection treatments than trophozoites, many studies focused on encystment, but until recently, little was known about cellular, biochemical, and molecular modifications operating during this process. Important signals and signaling pathways at play during encystment, as well as cell responses at the molecular level, have been described. This review summarizes our knowledge and focuses on new findings.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Electron microscopy of Acanthamoeba sp. (A) Transmission electron microscopy of a trophozoite. (B) Scanning electron microscopy of a cyst. (C) Transmission electron microscopy of a cyst. Ec, ectocyst; En, endocyst; M, mitochondria; N, nucleus; Op, operculum; Os, ostiole. Scale bars = 2 μm.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Electron microscopy of Hartmannella sp. (A) Transmission electron microscopy of a trophozoite. (B) Scanning electron microscopy of a cyst. (C) Transmission electron microscopy of a cyst. Ec, ectocyst; En, endocyst; M, mitochondria; N, nucleus. Scale bars = 2 μm.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Signals, signaling pathways, and responses involved in the encystment of Acanthamoeba.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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