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Antigenic and phenotypic variations in fungi.
1Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medciine, Bronx, NY, USA.
Cellular Microbiology
|September 23, 2009
Summary
Fungal phenotypic variability is diverse, impacting their life cycles. This review covers environmentally induced morphological transitions, reversible colony switching, and antigenic variation in individual fungal cells.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Fungal Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fungal phenotypic characteristics are crucial for their life cycles.
- Diverse mechanisms contribute to phenotypic variability in fungi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize the diverse mechanisms of phenotypic variability in fungi.
- To elucidate the distinct characteristics of morphological transitions, phenotypic switching, and antigenic variation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of fungal phenotypic variability.
- Categorization of variability into three main types: morphological transitions, phenotypic switching, and antigenic variation.
Main Results:
- Morphological transitions are population-wide and environmentally induced.
- Phenotypic switching is reversible and affects a small fraction of the fungal population.
- Antigenic variation occurs in individual cells, affecting immuno-dominant surface epitopes.
Conclusions:
- Understanding these distinct mechanisms of fungal phenotypic variability is essential for comprehending fungal biology and life cycles.
- The review provides a framework for studying fungal adaptation and evolution through phenotypic plasticity.
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