GCN2-like eIF2α kinase manages the amino acid starvation response in Toxoplasma gondii.

ABSTRACT: The apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a significant human and veterinary pathogen. As an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma depends on nutrients provided by the host cell and needs to adapt to limitations in available resources. In mammalian cells, translational regulation via GCN2 phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) is a key mechanism for adapting to nutrient stress. Toxoplasma encodes two GCN2-like protein kinases, TgIF2K-C and TgIF2K-D. We previously showed that TgIF2K-D phosphorylates T. gondii eIF2α (TgIF2α) upon egress from the host cell, which enables the parasite to overcome exposure to the extracellular environment. However, the function of TgIF2K-C remained unresolved. To determine the functions of TgIF2K-C

SUBMITTER: Konrad C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3946947 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature