Coordination of cell cycle and cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei

In common with all eukaryotic cells, trypanosomes must coordinate a complex series of morphogenetic events both temporally and spatially during the cell cycle. The structural and molecular cues that synchronise these events in trypanosomes have started to be elucidated, and intriguingly although similarities to cell cycle events in other eukaryotes can be identified, trypanosomes have also evolved novel solutions to the common challenges faced by dividing eukaryotic cells. Although cellular morphology is clearly pivotal for successful progression through the trypanosome cell cycle, most cytological studies to date have focused exclusively on procyclic form trypanosomes. These studies provide an excellent framework for understanding cell cycle events in trypanosomes, however recent data indicates that profound differences might exist between different life cycle stages in relation to the regulation of cell cycle and cytokinesis.