Characterization and in vitro translation of Toxoplasma gondii ribonucleic acid

RNA was extracted from purified tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii (RH strain) by sequential centrifugation in guanidine hydrochloride, urea, and lithium chloride. The subunits of the RNA were characterized by denaturing and non-denaturing electrophoresis in agarose gels. Poly(A)+-RNA, purified by oligo(dT)-cellulose affinity chromatography, was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate assay and the products were immunoprecipitated with an experimentally infected mouse serum and a naturally infected human serum. After sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, fluorography of the polypeptides confirmed that the mRNA translated specific parasite antigens.