Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite-bradyzoite interconversion.
During infection in the intermediate host, Toxoplasma gondii undergoes stage conversion between the rapidly dividing tachyzoite that is responsible for acute toxoplasmosis and the slowly replicating, encysted bradyzoite stage. This process of tachyzoite-bradyzoite interconversion is central to the pathogenesis and longevity of infection. Recent research has identified several stage-specific genes and proteins. However, despite recent advances in the understanding of Toxoplasma cell biology, more research is necessary to elucidate the complex events occurring during tachyzoite-bradyzoite interconversion. Here, a brief summary of this process is provided and a new method to characterize gene expression during interconversion is introduced.
Lyons
Russell E
RE
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Livestock Industries, Molecular Animal Genetics Centre, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
McLeod
Rima
R
Roberts
Craig W
CW
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005812:Genes, Switch / Q000235:genetics; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface