phenotypic switching

A reversible switch of a cell from one cell type or form to another, at a frequency above the expected frequency for somatic mutations. Phenotypic switching involves changes in cell morphology and altered gene expression patterns. For example, Candida albicans switches from white cells to opaque cells for sexual mating. Phenotypic switching also occurs in multicellular organisms; smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exhibit phenotypic transitions to allow rapid adaption to fluctuating environmental cues.

regulation of phenotypic switching

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of phenotypic switching.

negative regulation of phenotypic switching

Any process that stops, prevents or reduces the frequency, rate or extent of phenotypic switching.

positive regulation of phenotypic switching

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of phenotypic switching.

obsolete phenotypic switching in response to host

OBSOLETE. A reversible switch of a cell from one phenotype to another that occurs upon infection of a host or host cell. For example, Candida albicans switches from a unicellular form to an invasive multicellular filamentous form upon infection of host tissue. Phenotypic switching begins with changes in cell morphology and altered gene expression patterns and ends when the morphology of a population of cells has reverted back to the default state, accompanied by altered expression patterns.

cell dedifferentiation involved in phenotypic switching

A cell dedifferentiation process that is a part of a reversible switch of a cell from one cell type or form to another, at a frequency above the expected frequency for somatic mutations.

cell differentiation involved in phenotypic switching

A cell differentiation process that is a part of a reversible switch of a cell from one cell type or form to another, at a frequency above the expected frequency for somatic mutations.

regulation of cell differentiation involved in phenotypic switching

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of cell differentiation involved in phenotypic switching.

regulation of cell morphogenesis involved in phenotypic switching

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of cell morphogenesis contributing a phenotypic switch. Cell morphogenesis involved in differentiation is the change in form (cell shape and size) that occurs when relatively unspecialized cells, such as the opaque cells of C. albicans, acquire specialized structural and/or functional features that characterize the cells, tissues, or organs of the mature organism or some other relatively stable phase of the organism's life history.

establishment or maintenance of cell type involved in phenotypic switching

A cellular process of the specification, formation or maintenance of an alternative cell type, occurring as part of the process of phenotypic switching. Phenotypic switching begins with changes in cell morphology and altered gene expression patterns and ends when the morphology of a population of cells has reverted back to the default state, accompanied by altered expression patterns.