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Acanthamoeba differentiation: a two-faced drama of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2012

RUQAIYYAH SIDDIQUI ,
RICKY DUDLEY  and
NAVEED AHMED KHAN
RUQAIYYAH SIDDIQUI
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
RICKY DUDLEY
Affiliation:
School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, UK
NAVEED AHMED KHAN*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
*
*Corresponding author: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan. Tel: +92 (0)21 3486 4540. Fax: +92 (0)21 3493 4294. E-mail: Naveed5438@gmail.com
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Summary

The ability of cyst-forming protists such as Acanthamoeba to escape death by transforming into a cyst form, that is resistant to harsh physiological, environmental and pharmacological conditions, has continued to pose a serious challenge to human and animal health. A complete understanding of the fundamental principles of genome evolution and biochemical pathways of cellular differentiation offers unprecedented opportunities to counter detrimental outcomes. Acanthamoeba can elude inhospitable conditions by forming cysts. Here we unravel the processes involved in the phenotypic switching of Acanthamoeba, which are critical in our efforts to find potential targets for chemotherapy.

Keywords

Acanthamoebadifferentiationencystationcelluloselife cycleexcystation
Type
Review Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 139 , Issue 7 , June 2012 , pp. 826 - 834
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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References

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