Phenotypic and gene expression changes among clonal type I strains of Toxoplasma gondii.

摘要: Toxoplasma gondii has an unusual population structure consisting of three clonal lineages that predominate in North America and Europe. This simple pattern encouraged the use only a few laboratory isolates are representative each lineage. Principle among these is type I RH strain, originally isolated from child with encephalitis some 70 years ago. Comparison different passages strain have been propagated differently over intervening time period revealed commonly used line called RH-ERP was not natural Notably, formed much larger plaques than other 1 strains, including separate, earlier derived isolate strain. The variant also showed enhanced extracellular survival, faster growth, decreased differentiation compared to prototype GT1. gene expression differences several ABC transporters were upregulated, which may provide growth advantage vitro. These findings illustrate dramatic phenotypic changes can arise emphasizing need for comparison recent clinical isolates.