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Metabolic reconstruction identifies strain-specific regulation of virulence in Toxoplasma gondii.


ABSTRACT: Increasingly, metabolic potential is proving to be a critical determinant governing a pathogen's virulence as well as its capacity to expand its host range. To understand the potential contribution of metabolism to strain-specific infectivity differences, we present a constraint-based metabolic model of the opportunistic parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Dominated by three clonal strains (Type I, II, and III demonstrating distinct virulence profiles), T. gondii exhibits a remarkably broad host range. Integrating functional genomic data, our model (which we term as iCS382) reveals that observed strain-specific differences in growth rates are driven by altered capacities for energy production. We further predict strain-specific differences in drug susceptibilities and validate one of these predictions in a drug-based assay, with a Type I strain demonstrating resistance to inhibitors that are effective against a Type II strain. We propose that these observed differences reflect an evolutionary strategy that allows the parasite to extend its host range, as well as result in a subsequent partitioning into discrete strains that display altered virulence profiles across different hosts, different organs, and even cell types.

SUBMITTER: Song C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4039375 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Metabolic reconstruction identifies strain-specific regulation of virulence in Toxoplasma gondii.

Song Carl C   Chiasson Melissa A MA   Nursimulu Nirvana N   Hung Stacy S SS   Wasmuth James J   Grigg Michael E ME   Parkinson John J  

Molecular systems biology 20131119


Increasingly, metabolic potential is proving to be a critical determinant governing a pathogen's virulence as well as its capacity to expand its host range. To understand the potential contribution of metabolism to strain-specific infectivity differences, we present a constraint-based metabolic model of the opportunistic parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Dominated by three clonal strains (Type I, II, and III demonstrating distinct virulence profiles), T. gondii exhibits a remarkably broad host range.  ...[more]

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