Cell Fusion May Be Involved in the Homothallic Mating of Pneumocystis Species

species are obligate fungal biotrophs that colonize the lungs of mammals. They cause deadly pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. The sexual phase seems obligate during their life cycle and essential for survival because it is believed to ensure proliferation and transmission between hosts. Here, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:mBio 2022-08, Vol.13 (4), p.e0085922
Main Authors: Hauser, Philippe M, Almeida, Joao M G C F, Richard, Sophie, Meier, Caroline S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Fusion
Diploidy
genetic diversity
Mammals
Meiosis
Mycology
mycosis
nuclear fusion
obligate biotrophic parasite
Opinion/Hypothesis
Pneumocystis - genetics
Reproduction
sexual development
trophic form
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Summary:species are obligate fungal biotrophs that colonize the lungs of mammals. They cause deadly pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. The sexual phase seems obligate during their life cycle and essential for survival because it is believed to ensure proliferation and transmission between hosts. Here, we consider if the sexual phase is initiated by the fusion of two cells or by nucleus duplication in order to generate diploid cells that can undergo meiosis. The juxtaposition of the nucleus-associated organelles of pairs of cells with fused cytoplasmic membranes demonstrated that cell fusion can occur. Nevertheless, the frequency of cell fusion remains to be determined, and it cannot be excluded that both cell fusion and nucleus duplication are used to ensure the occurrence of the essential sexual phase. culturing of these fungi is a major milestone that could clarify the issue.
ISSN:2150-7511
2150-7511
DOI:10.1128/mbio.00859-22