A genome-wide siRNA screen to identify host factors necessary for growth of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that is able to infect virtually any nucleated cell of all warm-blooded animals. The host cell factors important for parasite attachment, invasion, and replication are poorly understood. We screened a siRNA library targeting 18,200 individual human genes in order to identify host proteins with a role in T.

The role of specific Toxoplasma gondii molecules in manipulation of innate immunity.

Infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii stimulates an innate immune response in the host. T. gondii also induces alterations in infected monocytes and dendritic cells that probably contribute to its ability to disseminate and ultimately to establish persistent infection.

A transmembrane domain-containing surface protein from Toxoplasma gondii augments replication in activated immune cells and establishment of a chronic infection.

Toxoplasma gondii mutants identified as defective in the establishment of chronic infection were screened to isolate those specifically impaired in their ability to replicate within activated macrophages. One of the identified mutants contains an insertion in the hypothetical gene TGME49_111670. Genetic complementation restores the ability of the mutant to replicate in immune cells and produce cysts in the brains of mice.

Highly polymorphic family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored surface antigens with evidence of developmental regulation in Toxoplasma gondii.

The life cycle of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii requires that an infectious cyst develop and be maintained throughout the life of the host. The molecules displayed on the parasite surface are important in controlling the immune response to the parasite. T.