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Toxoplasma gondii: further studies on the subpellicular network
Leandro Lemgruber1, John A Kloetzel, Wanderley de Souza
1Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Abstract:
The association of the pellicle with cytoskeletal elements in Toxoplasma gondii allows this parasite to maintain its mechanical integrity and makes possible its gliding motility and cell invasion. The inner membrane complex (IMC) resembles the flattened membrane sacs observed in free-living protozoa and these sacs have been found to associate with cytoskeletal proteins such as articulins. We used immunofluorescence microscopy to characterise the presence and distribution of plateins, a sub-family of articulins, in T. gondii tachyzoites. A dispersed labelling of the whole protozoan body was observed. Electron microscopy of detergent-extracted cells revealed the presence of a network of 10 nm filaments distributed throughout the parasite. These filaments were labelled with anti-platein antibodies. Screening the sequenced T. gondii genome, we obtained the sequence of an IMC predicted protein with 25% identity and 42% similarity to the platein isoform alpha 1 present in Euplotes aediculatus, but with 42% identity and 55% similarity to that found in Euglena gracilis, suggesting strong resemblance to articulins.
Insights
Plateins, a family of cytoskeletal proteins, are found throughout the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. These proteins associate with the inner membrane complex (IMC), contributing to the parasite's structure and motility.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Parasitology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- The pellicle and inner membrane complex (IMC) of Toxoplasma gondii are crucial for parasite integrity, motility, and invasion.
- The IMC shares similarities with membrane sacs in other protozoa, often associating with cytoskeletal proteins like articulins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of plateins, a subset of articulins, within T. gondii tachyzoites.
- To identify potential platein homologs in the T. gondii genome.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence microscopy was employed to visualize platein distribution in T. gondii tachyzoites.
- Electron microscopy of detergent-extracted cells was used to examine the parasite's cytoskeletal network.
- Bioinformatic analysis of the T. gondii genome was performed to identify proteins homologous to known plateins.
Main Results:
- Immunofluorescence revealed a dispersed labeling pattern of plateins across the entire T. gondii parasite.
- Electron microscopy identified a 10 nm filament network within detergent-extracted cells, which reacted positively with anti-platein antibodies.
- Genomic screening identified a T. gondii IMC protein with significant sequence similarity to plateins from other organisms, particularly Euglena gracilis.
Conclusions:
- Plateins are integral components of the T. gondii cytoskeleton, distributed throughout the parasite.
- The identified IMC protein suggests a conserved role for platein-like proteins in the structural organization and function of the inner membrane complex in apicomplexan parasites.
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