title: In vitro observation of the stage conversion of transgenic Toxoplasma gondii RH strain expressing dual fluorescent proteins.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii converts from tachyzoites to bradyzoites after acute infection and thus survives the attack of the host immune responses. In this study, we observed the conversion of tachyzoites to bradyzoites in cell cultures using a transgenic T. gondii RH strain. The transgenic parasites continuously express yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) but only express red fluorescent protein (RFP) at the bradyzoite stage. Red fluorescent bradyzoite-containing cysts were found in transgenic parasite infected cells cultured with atmospheric CO2 supply, indicating the successful induction of the stage conversion. In cell culture with alkalic medium (pH 8.1) and atmospheric CO2 supply, only part of the YFP-expressing parasites in a cyst express RFP marker, suggesting the asynchronous development of T. gondii in vitro. This study provides a possibility for further studies of the gene expression profile during stage conversion and the genes involved.
authors.forename: Qijun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Ximeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Xinlei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Shiyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Suo
authors.forename: Xingquan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xianyong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein