Int J Parasitol. 2009 Feb 27. [Epub ahead of print]
Development of forward genetics in Toxoplasma gondii
Sibley LD.
Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave. St. Louis MO 63110 USA.
The development of forward genetics as a functional system in Toxoplasma gondii spanned more than three decades from the mid-1970s until now. The initial demonstration of experimental genetics relied on chemically-induced drug resistant mutants that were crossed by co-infecting cats, collecting oocysts, sporulating and hatching progeny in vitro. To capitalize on this, genetic markers were employed to develop linkage maps by tracking inheritance through experimental crosses. In all, three generations of genetic maps were developed to define the chromosomes, estimate recombination rates, and provide a system for linkage analysis. Ultimately this genetic map would become the foundation for the assembly of the T. gondii genome, which was derived from whole genome shotgun sequencing, into a chromosome-centric view. Finally, application of forward genetics to multigenic biological traits showed the potential to map and identify specific genes that control complex phenotypes including virulence.
PMID: 19254720 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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