Host cell manipulation by the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii

Host Manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii

Adaptive host manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii: fact or fiction?

It is widely accepted that behavioural changes induced by Toxoplasma gondii are an adaptation of the parasite to enhance transmission to its cat definitive host. In our opinion, this explanation requires a rethink. We argue that the experimental evidence that observed behavioural changes will enhance transmission to cats is not convincing. We also argue that cats and sexual reproduction may not...

Host Cell Penetration of Toxoplasma gondii.

The host cell penetration of Toxoplasma gondii was studied with reference to synthesis of a penetration-enhancing factor and the penetrative capacity of the parasites during the various phases of the infectious cycle. HeLa cells as suspension or monolayer cultures were infected with Toxoplasma. After a lag phase shorter than 1 hr, there was a synthesis of penetration-enhancing factor demonstrab...

Molecular partitioning during host cell penetration by Toxoplasma gondii.

During invasion by Toxoplasma gondii, host cell transmembrane proteins are excluded from the forming parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) by the tight apposition of host and parasite cellular membranes. Previous studies suggested that the basis for the selective partitioning of membrane constituents may be a preference for membrane microdomains, and this hypothesis was herein tested. The part...

Atomic resolution insight into host cell recognition by Toxoplasma gondii.

The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a member of the phylum Apicomplexa that includes Plasmodium spp., is one of the most widespread parasites and the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. Micronemal proteins (MICs) are released onto the parasite surface just before invasion of host cells and play important roles in host cell recognition, attachment and penetration. Here, we repor...