Trypanosoma Brucei - Cell Division

Cell Division

The mitotic division of T.brucei is unusual compared to most eukaryotes. The nuclear membrane remains intact and the chromosomes do not condense during mitosis. The basal body, unlike the centrosome of most eukaryotic cells, does not play a role in the organisation of the spindle and instead is involved in division of the kinetoplast.

Stages of mitosis:

1. The basal body duplicates and both remain associated with the kinetoplast.
2. Kinetoplast DNA undergoes synthesis then the kinetoplast divides coupled with separation of the two basal bodies.
3. Nuclear DNA undergoes synthesis while a new flagellum extends from the younger, more posterior, basal body.
4. The nucleus undergoes mitosis.
5. Cytokinesis progresses from the anterior to posterior.
6. Division completes with abscission.