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.

SUBMITTER: Andenmatten N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3605914 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature