Protein palmitoylation inhibition by 2-bromopalmitate alters gliding, host cell invasion and parasite morphology in Toxoplasma gondii

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2012 Mar 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Protein palmitoylation inhibition by 2-bromopalmitate alters gliding, host cell invasion and parasite morphology in Toxoplasma gondii.

Alonso AM, Coceres VM, De Napoli MG, Nieto Guil AF, Angel SO, Corvi MM.

SourceLaboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), UNSAM/CONICET, Chascomus, Argentina.

Abstract
Protein palmitoylation is the reversible covalent attachment of palmitic acid onto proteins. This post-translational modification has been shown to play a part in diverse processes such as signal transduction, cellular localization and regulation of protein activity. Although many aspects of protein palmitoylation have been identified in mammalian and yeast cells, little is known of this modification in Toxoplasma gondii. In order to determine the functional role of protein palmitoylation in T. gondii, tachyzoites were treated with the palmitoylation inhibitor 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP). Parasites treated with 2-BP displayed a significant increase in non-circular trails which were longer than those trails left by non-treated parasites. Furthermore, 2-BP treatment reduced the invasion process to the host cells. Long-term treatment of intracellular tachyzoites resulted in major changes in parasite morphology and shape in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that palmitoylation could be modifying proteins that are key players in gliding, invasion and cytoskeletal proteins in T. gondii.

Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

PMID: 22484029 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]