Cellular, biochemical and molecular changes during encystment of free-living amoebae.
Résumé
Free-living amoebae are protozoa found in soil and water. Among them, some are pathogenic and many have been described as potential reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria. Their cell cycle is divided in at least two forms: the trophozoite and the cyst and the differentiation process is named encystment. As cysts are more resistant to disinfection treatments than trophozoites, many studies focused on encystment but until recently little was known about cellular, biochemical and molecular modifications operating during this process. Important signals and signaling pathways at play during encystment have been described, as well as cell responses at the molecular level. This review summarizes our knowledge and focuses on new findings.