Luis Vigetti, Bastien Touquet, Delphine Debarre, Thierry Rose, Lionel Bureau, Dima Abdallah, Galina V. Dubacheva, Isabelle Tardieux
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan apicomplexan parasite that uses an adhesion-dependent mode of motility termed gliding to access host cells and disseminate into tissues. Previous studies on Apicomplexa motile morphotypes, including the T. gondii tachyzoite, have identified a cortical actin–myosin motor system that drives the rearward translocation of transmembrane adhesins, thus powering forward movement. However, this model is currently questioned. Here, combining micropatterning and tunable surface chemistry (to edit parasite surface ligands) with flow force and live or super-resolution imaging, we show that tachyzoites build only one apical anchoring contact with the substrate, over which it slides. Furthermore, we show that glycosaminoglycan–parasite interactions are sufficient to promote such force-productive contact and find that the apicobasal flow is set up independent of adhesin release and surface interactions. These findings should enable further characterization of the molecular functions at the T. gondii–substrate mechanosensitive interface and their comparison across apicomplexans.
期刊介绍:
Nature Microbiology aims to cover a comprehensive range of topics related to microorganisms. This includes:
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In summary, Nature Microbiology is interested in research related to the evolution, physiology and cell biology of microorganisms, their interactions, and their societal relevance.