Mitochondrial behaviour throughout the lytic cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Ovciarikova, J., Lemgruber, L. , Stilger, K. L., Sullivan, W. J. and Sheiner, L. (2017) Mitochondrial behaviour throughout the lytic cycle of Toxoplasma gondii. Scientific Reports, 7, 42746. (doi: 10.1038/srep42746) (PMID:28202940) (PMCID:PMC5311943)

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Abstract

Mitochondria distribution in cells controls cellular physiology in health and disease. Here we describe the mitochondrial morphology and positioning found in the different stages of the lytic cycle of the eukaryotic single-cell parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The lytic cycle, driven by the tachyzoite life stage, is responsible for acute toxoplasmosis. It is known that whilst inside a host cell the tachyzoite maintains its single mitochondrion at its periphery. We found that upon parasite transition from the host cell to the extracellular matrix, mitochondrion morphology radically changes, resulting in a reduction in peripheral proximity. This change is reversible upon return to the host, indicating that an active mechanism maintains the peripheral positioning found in the intracellular stages. Comparison between the two states by electron microscopy identified regions of coupling between the mitochondrion outer membrane and the parasite pellicle, whose features suggest the presence of membrane contact sites, and whose abundance changes during the transition between intra- and extra-cellular states. These novel observations pave the way for future research to identify molecular mechanisms involved in mitochondrial distribution in Toxoplasma and the consequences of these mitochondrion changes on parasite physiology.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ovciarikova, Miss Jana and Sheiner, Professor Lilach and Lemgruber Soares, Dr Leandro
Authors: Ovciarikova, J., Lemgruber, L., Stilger, K. L., Sullivan, W. J., and Sheiner, L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Scientific Reports
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2045-2322
ISSN (Online):2045-2322
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Scientific Reports 7:42746
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
692421Dissection of the unusual mitochondrial tRNA import translocon of Toxoplasma gondiiLilach SheinerBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/N003675/1III - PARASITOLOGY
620491Identification and analysis of essential proteins involved in Toxoplasma gondii mitochondrial biogenesis (ISSF Catalyst)Lilach SheinerWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)097821/Z/11/ZRI INFECTION IMMUNITY & INFLAMMATION