Holly Matthews, Jennifer McDonald, Francis Isidore G. Totañes, Catherine J. Merrick
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Malaria parasites undergo a single phase of sexual reproduction in their complex lifecycle. It involves specialised, sexually committed cells called gametocytes, which develop rapidly into mature gametes and mate upon entering the mosquito midgut. Gamete development is unique, involving unprecedentedly fast replication to produce male gametes. Within ~15 minutes a male gametocyte replicates its ~23 Mb genome three times to produce 8 genomes, segregates these into newly-assembled flagellated gametes and releases them to seek female gametes. Here, for the first time, we use fluorescent labelling of de novo DNA synthesis to follow this process at the whole-cell and single-molecule levels. We make several novel observations, including characterising the origin recognition complex protein Orc1 for the first time in gametocytes, finding that cytokinesis is uncoupled from DNA replication (implying a lack of cell cycle checkpoints), and that the single-molecule dynamics of DNA replication are entirely different from the dynamics in asexual schizogony.
期刊介绍:
Cellular Microbiology aims to publish outstanding contributions to the understanding of interactions between microbes, prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and their host in the context of pathogenic or mutualistic relationships, including co-infections and microbiota. We welcome studies on single cells, animals and plants, and encourage the use of model hosts and organoid cultures. Submission on cell and molecular biological aspects of microbes, such as their intracellular organization or the establishment and maintenance of their architecture in relation to virulence and pathogenicity are also encouraged. Contributions must provide mechanistic insights supported by quantitative data obtained through imaging, cellular, biochemical, structural or genetic approaches.