Toxoplasma parasite reveals an unusual strategy for surviving crowded environments in infected cells
Toxoplasma gondii, or Toxoplasma, is a parasite that infects hundreds of millions of people around the world. Although cases are often mild, it can cause severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems and developing fetuses. It can also persist for years by forming long-lived cysts in tissues, allowing infection to become chronic.
Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread parasite causing both mild and severe infections, can persist for years by forming cysts in host tissues. In crowded cyst environments, hundreds of parasites face limited nutrients, waste accumulation, and damaging reactive oxygen molecules. A study led by Sebastian Lourido from MIT's Whitehead Institute uncovers a parasite-specific protein called TgPRO that helps Toxoplasma manage oxidative stress and metabolic pathways during these harsh conditions.
Discovered through a genome-wide CRISPR screen, TgPRO stabilizes key RNA messages involved in nutrient use, mitochondrial function, and iron-sulfur cluster assembly. When TgPRO is missing, parasites accumulate reactive oxygen molecules, struggle to grow, and exhibit altered energy metabolism. The findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory mechanism that could potentially make Toxoplasma more susceptible to drugs inducing oxidative stress.
Additionally, TgPRO's role in cyst growth suggests its importance in the chronic stage of infection. The study highlights convergent evolution, where parasites and other organisms have developed similar mechanisms to respond to oxidative stress and nutrient changes.
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