An update on cell division of Giardia duodenalis trophozoites
Francisco Alejandro Lagunas-Rangel1, Janet Yee2, Rosa María Bermúdez-Cruz3
1Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
Giardia duodenalis is a flagellated protozoan that is responsible for many cases of diarrheal disease worldwide and is characterized by its great divergence from the model organisms commonly used in studies of basic cellular processes. The life cycle of Giardia involves an infectious cyst form and a proliferative and mobile trophozoite form. Each Giardia trophozoite has two nuclei and a complex microtubule cytoskeleton that consists of eight flagellar axonemes, basal bodies, the adhesive disc, the funis and the median body. Since the success of Giardia infecting other organisms depends on its ability to divide and proliferate efficiently, Giardia must coordinate its cell division to ensure the duplication and partitioning of both nuclei and the multiple cytoskeletal structures. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge about cell division and its regulation in this protist.
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