A highly sensitive FRET-based approach reveals secretion of the actin-binding protein toxofilin during Toxoplasma gondii infection.

ABSTRACT: We have utilized a highly sensitive approach based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and beta-lactamase (BLA), which we adapted for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii secreted proteins. This assay revealed that the actin-binding protein toxofilin appears to be secreted into host cells during invasion. To determine the function of toxofilin during infection, we engineered a type I (RH strain) parasite with a targeted deletion of the toxofilin gene and compared the phenotypes of control and toxofilin knockout (Deltatxf) parasites in several in vitro assays, including invasion, growth, gliding motility, and egress of the Deltatxf parasites, as well as F-actin staining, phagocytosis and migration of cells infected with Deltatxf parasites or wild-type controls. Despite its appare

SUBMITTER: Lodoen MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3411547 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature