Differential expression of TgMIC1 in isolates of Chinese 1 Toxoplasma with different virulence
Yang Wang1, Chengjian Han1,2, Rongsheng Zhou2
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology; Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China.
Background:
The predominant genotype of Toxoplasma in China is the Chinese 1 (ToxoDB#9) lineage. TgCtwh3 and TgCtwh6 are two representative strains of Chinese 1, exhibiting high and low virulence to mice, respectively. Little is known regarding the virulence mechanism of this non-classical genotype. Our previous RNA sequencing data revealed differential mRNA levels of TgMIC1 in TgCtwh3 and TgCtwh6. We aim to further confirm the differential expression of TgMIC1 and its significance in this atypical genotype.
Methods:
Quantitative real-time PCR was used to verify the RNA sequencing data; then, polyclonal antibodies against TgMIC1 were prepared and identified. Moreover, the invasion and proliferation of the parasite in HFF cells were observed after treatment with TgMIC1 polyclonal antibody or not.
Results:
The data showed that the protein level of TgMIC1 was significantly higher in high-virulence strain TgCtwh3 than in low-virulence strain TgCtwh6 and that the invasion and proliferation of TgCtwh3 were inhibited by TgMIC1 polyclonal antibody.
Conclusion:
Differential expression of TgMIC1 in TgCtwh3 and TgCtwh6 may explain, at least partly, the virulence mechanism of this atypical genotype.
