The Role of GRA7, a Component in the ROP18 Protein Complex, in Toxoplasma gondii

The obligate intracellular pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii, is adept at creating a safe niche within the rough environment of the host cytosol. By enclosing itself within a non-fusogenic parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM), it cleverly resists lysosomal fusion. Despite this leverage, avirulent strains of Toxoplasma are cleared effectively from their host cells by the host\u27s intrinsic cellular defenses. Forward genetic analysis has identified a virulence factor, the serine/threonine kinase ROP18, which plays an important role in the survival of virulent strains of Toxoplasma. In an infected cell ROP18 localizes to the PVM along with many members of the rhoptry (ROP) and dense granule (GRA) family of proteins. On the PVM, ROP18 kinase targets the host\u27s dynamin-related immunity related GTPases (IRG) for phosphorylation on critical residues, leading to their inactivation. Avirulent strains that lack ROP18 are successfully targeted by the IRG proteins that are recruited to the PVM, resulting in ruffling and disruption of the membrane and hence death of the parasite within it. Although ROP18 is necessary and sufficient to subvert the IRG pathway, we were interested in whether it associated with other parasite proteins to carry out its virulence function in vivo. Using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric analysis we found that ROP18 partners with two parasite proteins, the rhoptry pseudokinase ROP2, and the dense granule protein GRA7. While GRA7 arises from a distinct organelle intracellularly, upon infection, we were able to localize GRA7 to the cytosolic face of the PVM similar to ROP18, using selectively permeable detergents and immunoflorescence microscopy. To resolve the biological significance of this complex, we constructed single as well as double deletion strains, using Δku80, a genetically malleable parent parasite line. Although the single deletion strains did not affect virulence, the double deletion strain Δgra7Δrop18 displayed considerable attenuation. By performing cellular assays, we ascertained that the Δgra7Δrop18 parasites defective as they were significantly more vulnerable to the IRG pathway. Although GRA7 has been suspected to play a role in nutrient acquirement, we were unable to find a defect in the Δgra7parasites growth in vitro, or in virulence in vivo. To establish a mechanism for GRA7 in defense against the IRGs, we performed in vitro biochemical assays testing the effect on GRA7 on the activity of Irga6. We found that sub molar amounts of GRA7 were capable of stimulating rapid oligomerzation of recombinant GTP-activated Irga6 to a much higher extent than without GRA7. In addition, GRA7-driven oligomers of Irga6 also resolved back into monomers much faster than oligomers without GRA7. Collectively, we propose that GRA7 is involved in mediating IRG resistance by stimulating the turnover of Irga6 near the PVM, and in effect, preventing them from accumulating and destroying the PVM, and/or providing its partner kinase, ROP18, with substrate. This finding adds to the growing list of parasite factors that subvert the IRG pathway, and suggests a novel mechanism for its action

Role of a patatin-like phospholipase in Plasmodium falciparum gametogenesis and malaria transmission

International audienceTransmission of Plasmodium falciparum involves a complex process that starts with the ingestion of gametocytes by female Anopheles mosquitoes during a blood meal. Activation of gametocytes in the mosquito midgut triggers "rounding up" followed by egress of both male and female gametes. Egress requires secretion of a perforin-like protein, PfPLP2, from intracellular vesicles to the periphery, which leads to destabilization of peripheral membranes. Male gametes also develop flagella, which assist in binding female gametes for fertilization. This process of gametogenesis, which is key to malaria transmission, involves extensive membrane remodeling as well as vesicular discharge. Phospholipase A2 enzymes (PLA2) are known to mediate membrane remodeling and vesicle secretion in diverse organisms. Here, we show that a P. falciparum patatin-like phospholipase (PfPATPL1) with PLA2 activity plays a key role in gametogenesis. Conditional deletion of the gene encoding PfPATPL1 does not affect P. falciparum blood stage growth or gametocyte development but reduces efficiency of rounding up, egress, and exflagellation of gametocytes following activation. Interestingly, deletion of the PfPATPL1 gene inhibits secretion of PfPLP2, reducing the efficiency of gamete egress. Deletion of PfPATPL1 also reduces the efficiency of oocyst formation in mosquitoes. These studies demonstrate that PfPATPL1 plays a role in gametogenesis, thereby identifying PLA2 phospholipases such as PfPATPL1 as potential targets for the development of drugs to block malaria transmission