Genome analysis and polar tube firing dynamics of mosquito-infecting microsporidia.

ABSTRACT: Microsporidia are highly divergent fungi that are obligate intracellular pathogens of a wide range of host organisms. Here we review recent findings from the genome sequences of mosquito-infecting microsporidian species Edhazardia aedis and Vavraia culicis, which show large differences in genome size, although similar numbers of predicted genes. We also show a video of E. aedis polar tube firing, which is the dramatic mechanism used by microsporidia to deliver the germ cell (sporoplasm) into the host cell to initiate intracellular infection.

SUBMITTER: Troemel ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4587305 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature