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Segregation of a microsporidian parasite during host cell mitosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1999

R. S. TERRY
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
A. M. DUNN
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
J. E. SMITH
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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Abstract

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We investigated the segregation of an intracellular microsporidian parasite during host cell division. A time-course experiment was carried out to examine the distribution of parasites relative to host chromosomal DNA via light and electron microscopy. Fluorescent light microscopy and EM studies showed that the parasite lay in the perinuclear zone of the host cell during interphase and segregated to daughter cells at mitosis. At metaphase, the parasite was frequently closely associated with host microtubules and mitochondria. Electron-dense bridges were observed between the parasites and the host microtubules and also between host mitochondria and microtubules. The study suggests that both the parasite and the host cell organelles segregate in association with spindle microtubules.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1999 Cambridge University Press