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Atomic models of the conoid from the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii

ABSTRACT: Apicomplexan parasites, responsible for toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, and malaria, invade host cells through a unique gliding motility mechanism powered by actomyosin motors and a dynamic organelle called the conoid. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) we determined structures of four essential complexes of the Toxoplasma gondii conoid: the preconoidal P2 ring, tubulin-based conoid fibers, and the subpellicular and intraconoidal microtubules. Our analysis identified 39 distinct conoid proteins, several of which are essential for parasite lytic growth, as revealed through genetic disruption studies. Comparative analysis of the tubulin-containing complexes sheds light on their functional specialization by microtubule-associating proteins, while the structure of the preconoidal ring pinpoints the site of actin polymerization and initial translocation, enhancing our mechanistic understanding of gliding motility and therefore parasite invasion

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Toxoplasma Gondii

SUBMITTER: Sophe Alvarez

LAB HEAD: Sophie Alvarez

PROVIDER: PXD068413 | Pride | 2025-11-14

REPOSITORIES: Pride

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			Action	DRS
	20231118_JZ2_TOXCO_Bottom.raw	Raw
	20231118_JZ2_TOXCO_Middle.raw	Raw
	20231118_JZ2_TOXCO_Top.raw	Raw
	checksum.txt	Txt
	mascot_daemon_merge__F022411_.mzid	Mzid

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