Yeast three-hybrid screen identifies TgBRADIN/GRA24 as a negative regulator of Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite differentiation

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 19;10(3):e0120331. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120331. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Differentiation of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii into its latent bradyzoite stage is a key event in the parasite's life cycle. Compound 2 is an imidazopyridine that was previously shown to inhibit the parasite lytic cycle, in part through inhibition of parasite cGMP-dependent protein kinase. We show here that Compound 2 can also enhance parasite differentiation, and we use yeast three-hybrid analysis to identify TgBRADIN/GRA24 as a parasite protein that interacts directly or indirectly with the compound. Disruption of the TgBRADIN/GRA24 gene leads to enhanced differentiation of the parasite, and the TgBRADIN/GRA24 knockout parasites show decreased susceptibility to the differentiation-enhancing effects of Compound 2. This study represents the first use of yeast three-hybrid analysis to study small-molecule mechanism of action in any pathogenic microorganism, and it identifies a previously unrecognized inhibitor of differentiation in T. gondii. A better understanding of the proteins and mechanisms regulating T. gondii differentiation will enable new approaches to preventing the establishment of chronic infection in this important human pathogen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Flanking Region
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Library
  • Genes, Protozoan
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Life Cycle Stages / drug effects
  • Methotrexate / chemistry
  • Methotrexate / pharmacology
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Binding
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Toxoplasma / drug effects
  • Toxoplasma / genetics*
  • Toxoplasma / growth & development
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques*

Substances

  • 4-(7-((dimethylamino)methyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)imidazo(1,2-a)pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine
  • Imidazoles
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Pyrimidines
  • Methotrexate