Publication
Title
Adaptive mechanisms in pathogens: universal aneuploidy in **Leishmania**
Author
Abstract
Genomic stability and maintenance of the correct chromosome number are assumed to be essential for normal development in eukaryotes. Aneuploidy is usually associated with severe abnormalities and decrease of cell fitness, but some organisms appear to rely on aneuploidy for rapid adaptation to changing environments. This phenomenon is mostly described in pathogenic fungi and cancer cells. However, recent genome studies highlight the importance of Leishmania as a new model for studies on aneuploidy. Several reports revealed extensive variation in chromosome copy number, indicating that aneuploidy is a constitutive feature of this protozoan parasite genus. Aneuploidy appears to be beneficial in organisms that are primarily asexual, unicellular, and that undergo sporadic epidemic expansions, including common pathogens as well as cancer.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Trends in parasitology. - London
Publication
London : 2012
ISSN
1471-4922
DOI
10.1016/J.PT.2012.06.003
Volume/pages
28 :9 (2012) , p. 370-376
ISI
000308777800005
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.03.2013
Last edited 25.05.2022
To cite this reference