title: Conditional genome engineering in Toxoplasma gondii uncovers alternative invasion mechanisms.
abstract: We established a conditional site-specific recombination system based on dimerizable Cre recombinase-mediated recombination in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Using a new single-vector strategy that allows ligand-dependent, efficient removal of a gene of interest, we generated three knockouts of apicomplexan genes considered essential for host-cell invasion. Our findings uncovered the existence of an alternative invasion pathway in apicomplexan parasites.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Andenmatten
authors.forename: Saskia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Egarter
authors.forename: Allison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jullien
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meissner
mesh_terms: D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques / Q000379:methods; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000235:genetics; D019426:Integrases; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases