Dynamin inhibitor impairs Toxoplasma gondii invasion

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2009 Nov;301(1):103-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2009.01799.x. Epub 2009 Sep 21.

Abstract

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects its host cells through an active mechanism. In this work, we obtained evidence that host cells also play a fundamental role during the infection process. We found that previous incubation of the host cells, but not the parasites, with Dynasore, a small molecule that inhibits dynamin GTPase activity, markedly reduced the penetration of T. gondii tachyzoites into LLC-MK2 cells. In contrast, parasite adhesion to the host cell surface increased, as observed both by light and electron microscopy. Intriguingly, the few parasites internalized by Dynasore-treated cells remained in vacuoles located at the periphery of the cell, in contrast to the perinuclear localization seen in the control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dynamins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Humans
  • Hydrazones / administration & dosage
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Toxoplasma / drug effects*
  • Toxoplasma / metabolism*
  • Toxoplasma / ultrastructure
  • Toxoplasmosis / metabolism*
  • Toxoplasmosis / parasitology
  • Toxoplasmosis / pathology
  • Vacuoles / metabolism
  • Vacuoles / parasitology

Substances

  • Hydrazones
  • N'-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthahydrazide
  • Dynamins