Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α promotes the extracellular survival of obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii

If you need an accessible version of this item, please submit a remediation request.
Date
2010
Language
American English
Embargo Lift Date
Committee Members
Degree
Degree Year
Department
Grantor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Found At
National Academy of Science
Abstract

While seeking a new host cell, obligate intracellular parasites, such as the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, must be able to endure the stress of an extracellular environment. The mechanisms Toxoplasma use to remain viable while deprived of a host cell are not understood. We have previously shown that phosphorylation of Toxoplasma eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (TgIF2α) is a conserved response to stress. Here we report the characterization of Toxoplasma harboring a point mutation (S71A) in TgIF2α that prevents phosphorylation. Results show that TgIF2α phosphorylation is critical for parasite viability because the TgIF2α-S71A mutants are ill-equipped to cope with life outside the host cell. The TgIF2α-S71A mutants also showed a significant delay in producing acute toxoplasmosis in vivo. We conclude that the phosphorylation of TgIF2α plays a crucial role during the lytic cycle by ameliorating the stress of the extracellular environment while the parasite searches for a new host cell.

Description
item.page.description.tableofcontents
item.page.relation.haspart
Cite As
Joyce BR, Queener SF, Wek RC, Sullivan WJ Jr. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2{alpha} promotes the extracellular survival of obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107(40):17200-17205. doi:10.1073/pnas.1007610107
ISSN
Publisher
Series/Report
Sponsorship
Major
Extent
Identifier
Relation
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Source
PMC
Alternative Title
Type
Article
Number
Volume
Conference Dates
Conference Host
Conference Location
Conference Name
Conference Panel
Conference Secretariat Location
Version
Final published version
This item is under embargo {{howLong}}