A Novel Dynamin-Related Protein Has Been Recruited for Apicoplast Fission in Toxoplasma gondii

摘要: Summary Background: Apicomplexan parasites cause numerous important human diseases, including malaria and toxoplasmosis. Apicomplexa belong to the Alveolata, a group that also includes ciliates dinoflagellates. retain plastid organelle (the apicoplast) was derived from an endosymbiotic relationship between alveolate ancestor red alga. Apicoplasts are essential for parasite growth must correctly divide segregate into daughter cells upon cytokinesis. Apicoplast division depends on association with mitotic spindle, although little is known about molecular machinery involved in this process. lack conserved divides chloroplasts plants algae, suggesting these mechanisms unique. Results: Here, we demonstrate dynamin-related protein Toxoplasma gondii ( Tg DrpA) localizes punctate regions apicoplast surface. We generate conditional dominant-negative DrpA cell line disrupt functions biogenesis. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching time-lapse imaging studies provide evidence direct role fission. Conclusions: Our data suggest likely recruited function fission of symbiont ultimately replaced symbiont.