An apicoplast-localized GTPase is essential for Toxoplasma gondii survival.

ABSTRACT: The apicoplast is an essential organelle found in Apicomplexa, a large phylum of intracellular eukaryotic pathogens. The apicoplast produces metabolites that are utilized for membrane biogenesis and energy production. A majority of apicoplast-resident proteins are encoded by the nuclear genome and are trafficked to the apicoplast and are referred to as nuclear-encoded and apicoplast-trafficked (NEAT) proteins. In this study, we characterized a NEAT protein named TgBipA, which is a homolog of the highly conserved prokaryotic translational GTPase BipA. BipA is essential for bacterial survival in stress conditions and functions through interactions with the prokaryotic ribosome, although its role is not fully understood. Through genetic knockouts of TgBipA and immunofluorescence imaging, we s

SUBMITTER: Griffith MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12838348 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature