Int J Parasitol. 2013 Sep 23. pii: S0020-7519(13)00222-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.08.002. [Epub ahead of print]

Identification of three novel Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry proteins

Camejo A, Gold DA, Lu D, McFetridge K, Julien L, Yang N, C Jensen KD, Saeij JP.

Source

Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139 USA.

Abstract

The rhoptries are key secretory organelles from apicomplexan parasites that contain proteins involved in invasion and modulation of the host cell. Some rhoptry proteins are restricted to the posterior bulb (ROPs) and others to the anterior neck (RONs). As many rhoptry proteins have been shown to be key players in Toxoplasma invasion and virulence, it is important to identify, understand and characterize the biological function of the components of the rhoptries. In this report, we identified putative novel rhoptry candidate genes by identifying Toxoplasma genes with similar cyclical expression profiles as known rhoptry protein encoding genes across its cell cycle. Using this approach we identified two new rhoptry bulb (ROP47 and ROP48) and one new rhoptry neck protein (RON12). ROP47 is secreted and traffics to the host cell nucleus, RON12 was not detected at the moving junction during invasion. Deletion of ROP47 or ROP48 in a type II strain did not show major influence in in vitro growth or virulence in mice. Highlights: Three novel Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry proteins, ROP47, ROP48 and RON12, were identified. ROP47 is secreted into the host cell and traffics to the host nucleus. Deletion of ROP47 or ROP48 did not influence in vitro growth or virulence in mice.