Calcium-dependent phosphorylation alters class XIVa myosin function in the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Tang, Q., Andenmatten, N., Hortua Triana, M. A., Deng, B., Meissner, M. , Moreno, S. N.J., Ballif, B. and Ward, G. E. (2014) Calcium-dependent phosphorylation alters class XIVa myosin function in the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 25(17), pp. 2579-2591. (doi: 10.1091/mbc.E13-11-0648)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Class XIVa myosins comprise a unique group of myosin motor proteins found in apicomplexan parasites, including those that cause malaria and toxoplasmosis. The founding member of the class XIVa family, Toxoplasma gondii myosin A (TgMyoA), is a monomeric unconventional myosin that functions at the parasite periphery to control gliding motility, host cell invasion, and host cell egress. How the motor activity of TgMyoA is regulated during these critical steps in the parasite's lytic cycle is unknown. We show here that a small-molecule enhancer of T. gondii motility and invasion (compound 130038) causes an increase in parasite intracellular calcium levels, leading to a calcium-dependent increase in TgMyoA phosphorylation. Mutation of the major sites of phosphorylation altered parasite motile behavior upon compound 130038 treatment, and parasites expressing a nonphosphorylatable mutant myosin egressed from host cells more slowly in response to treatment with calcium ionophore. These data demonstrate that TgMyoA undergoes calcium-dependent phosphorylation, which modulates myosin-driven processes in this important human pathogen.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Meissner, Professor Markus and Andenmatten, Ms Nicole
Authors: Tang, Q., Andenmatten, N., Hortua Triana, M. A., Deng, B., Meissner, M., Moreno, S. N.J., Ballif, B., and Ward, G. E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Molecular Biology of the Cell
Publisher:American Society for Cell Biology
ISSN:1059-1524
ISSN (Online):1939-4586

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record