# Unraveling The Mechanism Of Cryptic Sexual Cycle Development In Amoebae Using Comparative Genomics And Cytology

> **NIH NIH R15** · SPELMAN COLLEGE · 2020 · $390,234

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Unraveling The Mechanism Of Cryptic Sexual Cycle Development In Amoebae
Using Comparative Genomics And Cytology
The proposed research aims to unravel the cytological and genetic evidence underlying
the cryptic sexual life cycle of two amoeboids: Cochliopodium and Acanthamoeba. Sexual
reproduction is highly beneficial in eukaryotes by enabling them to increase genetic
diversity, fitness and virulence as in pathogenic eukaryotes. However, sexuality in most
microbial eukaryotes is poorly understood due to their diverse and complex life cycle.
Unlike most other amoebae that are assumed to engage in sex during the dormant, cyst
stage (a challenge for experimental study); the target taxon, Cochliopodium, undergoes
nuclear fusion in the actively growing vegetative stage making it an ideal candidate for
investigative work involving live experimentation. Our findings from previous work
with Cochliopodium have enabled us to make a comparative study with the unknown
aspects of the life cycle of a close relative opportunistic human pathogen, Acanthamoeba.
This amoeba causes severe infection of the eye, brain and skin infections. Acanthamoeba
is considered to reproduce asexually but recent genomic data indicated that it may
engage in cryptic sex. However, there is no corroborative evidence from behavioral or
cytological data to support this claim. In this proposal, we use the knowledge gained
from Cochliopodium to study the life cycle of Acanthamoeba with a similar approach.
The proposed work will test three hypotheses related to sexual development in
Cochliopodium and Acanthamoeba. These hypotheses are based from our previous
published, on-going research and new discoveries. We will use a combination of
methods including comparative genomics, transcriptomics, genetic manipulations and
optimized cytological techniques to tackle the proposed hypotheses.
Addressing the proposed hypotheses will enable the following new discoveries: (a)
uncover cytological signatures of the stages of sexual development and (b) shed light on
the molecular mechanisms of the cryptic sexual life cycle in Cochliopodium and
Acanthamoeba; (c) patterns of inheritance in Cochliopodium; (d) setting a groundwork for
understanding the evolution of sexuality in microbial eukaryotes with cryptic life cycles;
(e). exploration of targets that might be used to combat eukaryotic pathogens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10047109
- **Project number:** 2R15GM116103-02
- **Recipient organization:** SPELMAN COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Yonas Tekle
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $390,234
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-09-18 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10047109

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10047109, Unraveling The Mechanism Of Cryptic Sexual Cycle Development In Amoebae Using Comparative Genomics And Cytology (2R15GM116103-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10047109. Licensed CC0.

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