Mitochondrial behaviour throughout the lytic cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

• DOI: 10.1038/srep42746
• Publication Date: 2017-02-16T09:58:48Z
• Authors: Jana Ovciarikova; Leandro Lemgruber; Krista L. Stilger; William J. Sullivan; Lilach Sheiner
• Keywords: Lytic cycle; Intracellular parasite

Abstract Mitochondria distribution in cells controls cellular physiology health and disease. Here we describe the mitochondrial morphology positioning found different stages of lytic cycle eukaryotic single-cell parasite Toxoplasma gondii . The cycle, driven by tachyzoite life stage, is responsible for acute toxoplasmosis. It known that whilst inside a host cell maintains its single mitochondrion at periphery. We upon transition from to extracellular matrix, radically changes, resulting reduction peripheral proximity. This change reversible return host, indicating an active mechanism intracellular stages. Comparison between two states electron microscopy identified regions coupling outer membrane pellicle, whose features suggest presence contact sites, abundance changes during intra- extra-cellular states. These novel observations pave way future research identify molecular mechanisms involved consequences these on physiology.