The Pneumocystis life cycle.
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.
Aliouat-Denis
Cécile-Marie
CM
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lille Nord de France, Lille, France.
Martinez
Anna
A
Aliouat
El Moukhtar
el M
Pottier
Muriel
M
Gantois
Nausicaa
N
Dei-Cas
Eduardo
E
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