Study of virulence inhibitory factor in Toxoplasma gondii

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25450419
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: IGARASHI Makoto 帯広畜産大学, 原虫病研究センター, 教授 (60374766)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: トキソプラズマ / 病原性 / 慢性感染 / シスト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study had been conducted to elucidate the role of TgDPA molecule as a virulence inhibitory factor in Toxoplasma gondii. The findings are summarized below. 1) TgDPA overexpressing strain was successfully produced. 2) The crystal structure of the TgDPA molecule was determined, suggesting that the enzyme activity was lost during evolution. 3) The pathogenicity varied depending on the presence or absence of TgDPA. 4) Induction of TgDPA expression was inhibited by deletion of lactate dehydrogenase gene (LDH1). 5) TgDPA did not affect proliferation / differentiation of protozoa. 6) TgDPA molecule was involved in gene expression fluctuation during cyst formation. 7) We succeeded in producing a double knockout strain with TgDERA, paralog of TgDPA gene.

Free Research Field

原虫病学