The transforming parasite Theileria co-opts host cell mitotic and central spindles to persist in continuously dividing cells.

ABSTRACT: The protozoan parasite Theileria inhabits the host cell cytoplasm and possesses the unique capacity to transform the cells it infects, inducing continuous proliferation and protection against apoptosis. The transforming schizont is a multinucleated syncytium that resides free in the host cell cytoplasm and is strictly intracellular. To maintain transformation, it is crucial that this syncytium is divided over the two daughter cells at each host cell cytokinesis. This process was dissected using different cell cycle synchronization methods in combination with the targeted application of specific inhibitors. We found that Theileria schizonts associate with newly formed host cell microtubules that emanate from the spindle poles, positioning the parasite at the equatorial region of the mitotic

SUBMITTER: von Schubert C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2946958 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature