biostudies-literatureUnknownKrueger ANIDDK NIH HHSNIAID NIH HHSIntracellular replication is crucial for the success of apicomplexan parasites, including <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. Therefore, essential players in parasite replication present potential targets for drug development. In this study, we have characterized TgGSK, a glycogen synthase kinase homolog that plays an important role in <i>Toxoplasma</i> endodyogeny. We have shown that TgGSK has a dynamic localization that is concurrent with the cell cycle. In non-dividing parasites, this kinase is highly concentrated in the nucleus. However, during division, TgGSK displays a cytosolic localization, with concentration foci at the centrosomes, a key organelle involved in parasite division, and the basal end. Conditional knockdown of TgGSK determined that it is essential for the completion of the lyticbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2024.09.27.615374https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11463552biostudies-literatureThe essential kinase TgGSK regulates centrosome division and endodyogeny in &lt;i&gt;Toxoplasma gondii&lt;/i&gt;.PMC11463552R21 AI164619R01 AI149766R01 DK124067Arrizabalaga GFrancia MEBlakely WJHorjales SYang CKrueger AfalseThe essential kinase TgGSK regulates centrosome division and endodyogeny in &lt;i&gt;Toxoplasma gondii&lt;/i&gt;.Intracellular replication is crucial for the success of apicomplexan parasites, including <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. Therefore, essential players in parasite replication present potential targets for drug development. In this study, we have characterized TgGSK, a glycogen synthase kinase homolog that plays an important role in <i>Toxoplasma</i> endodyogeny. We have shown that TgGSK has a dynamic localization that is concurrent with the cell cycle. In non-dividing parasites, this kinase is highly concentrated in the nucleus. However, during division, TgGSK displays a cytosolic localization, with concentration foci at the centrosomes, a key organelle involved in parasite division, and the basal end. Conditional knockdown of TgGSK determined that it is essential for the completion of the lytic2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Sep2025-04-04T02:54:30.036Z2025-04-04T02:54:30.036ZS-EPMC114635523938658510.1101/2024.09.27.615374