The Cyclical Development of Trypanosoma vivax in the Tsetse Fly Involves an Asymmetric Division

Cher-Pheng Ooi (1) , Sarah Schuster (1) , Christelle Cren-Travaillé (1) , Eloise Bertiaux (1) , Alain Cosson (2) , Sophie Goyard (2) , Sylvie Perrot (1) , Brice Rotureau (1)

1 Biologie cellulaire des Trypanosomes - Trypanosome Cell Biology
2 Processus infectieux à Trypanosomatidés - Trypanosomatids Infectious Processes

Trypanosoma vivax is the most prevalent trypanosome species in African cattle. It is thought to be transmitted by tsetse flies after cyclical development restricted to the vector mouthparts. Here, we investigated the kinetics of T. vivax development in Glossina morsitans morsitans by serial dissections over 1 week to reveal differentiation and proliferation stages. After 3 days, stable numbers of attached epimastigotes were seen proliferating by symmetric division in the cibarium and proboscis, consistent with colonization and maintenance of a parasite population for the remaining lifespan of the tsetse fly. Strikingly, some asymmetrically dividing cells were also observed in proportions compatible with a continuous production of pre-metacyclic trypomastigotes. The involvement of this asymmetric division in T. vivax metacyclogenesis is discussed and compared to other trypanosomatids.

Keywords: parasite cycle; differentiation; development; asymmetric division; tsetse fly; Trypanosoma vivax

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology; Parasitology

Cher-Pheng Ooi, Sarah Schuster, Christelle Cren-Travaillé, Eloise Bertiaux, Alain Cosson, et al.. The Cyclical Development of Trypanosoma vivax in the Tsetse Fly Involves an Asymmetric Division. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2016, 6, pp.article 115. ⟨10.3389/fcimb.2016.00115⟩. ⟨pasteur-01383000⟩