title: The Pneumocystis life cycle.
abstract: First recognised as 'schizonts' of Trypanosoma cruzi, Pneumocystis organisms are now considered as part of an early-diverging lineage of Ascomycetes. As no robust long-term culture model is available, most data on the Pneumocystis cell cycle have stemmed from ultrastructural images of infected mammalian lungs. Although most fungi developing in animals do not complete a sexual cycle in vivo, Pneumocystis species constitute one of a few exceptions. Recently, the molecular identification of several key players in the fungal mating pathway has provided further evidence for the existence of conjugation and meiosis in Pneumocystisorganisms. Dynamic follow-up of stage-to-stage transition as well as studies of stage-specific proteins and/or genes would provide a better understanding of the still hypothetical Pneumocystislife cycle. Although difficult to achieve, stage purification seems a reasonable way forward in the absence of efficient culture systems. This mini-review provides a comprehensive overview of the historical milestones leading to the current knowledge available on the Pneumocystis life cycle.
authors: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lille Nord de France, Lille, France.
authors: Cécile-Marie
authors: CM
authors: Aliouat-Denis
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Martinez
authors: El Moukhtar
authors: el M
authors: Aliouat
authors: Muriel
authors: M
authors: Pottier
authors: Nausicaa
authors: N
authors: Gantois
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Dei-Cas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D049770:Genes, Mating Type, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000502:physiology*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure