Molecular characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii Mre11 reveals unique structural features and potential as a therapeutic target.

ABSTRACT: The Mre11 enzyme plays a central role in essential cellular processes such as DNA repair and meiosis, where its endonuclease and exonuclease activities are critical for maintaining genomic stability. Previous studies have linked Mre11 to cell cycle regulation and cancer progression; however, knowledge about DNA processing mechanisms in medically relevant protozoan parasites remains limited. Toxoplasma gondii harbours several essential genes, involved in the DNA damage response, including mre11. The aim of this study was to characterize T. gondii Mre11 (TgMre11) at the molecular level as a potential therapeutic target. Our results demonstrate that TgMre11 core contains an extended eukaryotic insertion loop that modulates its endonuclease activity, resulting in higher levels compared to its

SUBMITTER: Ruiz DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12712053 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature