In vitro observation of the stage conversion of transgenic Toxoplasma gondii RH strain expressing dual fluorescent proteins

Qijun Song; Ximeng Sun; Yongsheng Ji; Xinlei Yan; Jun Zou; Shiyun Zhao; Xun Suo; Xingquan Zhu; Xianyong Liu

doi:10.1515/ap-2016-0061

Article

In vitro observation of the stage conversion of transgenic Toxoplasma gondii RH strain expressing dual fluorescent proteins

Qijun Song , Ximeng Sun , Yongsheng Ji , Xinlei Yan , Jun Zou , Shiyun Zhao , Xun Suo , Xingquan Zhu and Xianyong Liu

Published/Copyright: July 21, 2016

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From the journal Acta Parasitologica Volume 61 Issue 3

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii converts from tachyzoites to bradyzoites after acute infection and thus survives the attack of the host immune responses. In this study, we observed the conversion of tachyzoites to bradyzoites in cell cultures using a transgenic T. gondii RH strain. The transgenic parasites continuously express yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) but only express red fluorescent protein (RFP) at the bradyzoite stage. Red fluorescent bradyzoite-containing cysts were found in transgenic parasite infected cells cultured with atmospheric CO₂ supply, indicating the successful induction of the stage conversion. In cell culture with alkalic medium (pH 8.1) and atmospheric CO₂ supply, only part of the YFP-expressing parasites in a cyst express RFP marker, suggesting the asynchronous development of T. gondii in vitro. This study provides a possibility for further studies of the gene expression profile during stage conversion and the genes involved.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; transgenic; fluorescent proteins; stage conversion; asynchronous development

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Jingxia Suo in our research group for her technique help. This study was supported by the Open Project of the State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology (SKLVEB2011KFKT001), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31172309) and Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (201303042).

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Received: 2015-11-3

Revised: 2016-1-1

Accepted: 2016-2-4

Published Online: 2016-7-21

Published in Print: 2016-9-1

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https://doi.org/10.1515/ap-2016-0061

Keywords for this article

Toxoplasma gondii; transgenic; fluorescent proteins; stage conversion; asynchronous development