Conditional genome engineering in Toxoplasma gondii uncovers alternative invasion mechanisms

authors

• Andenmatten Nicole
• Egarter Saskia
• Jackson Allison J
• Jullien Nicolas
• Herman Jean-Paul
• Meissner Markus

abstract

We established a conditional site–specific recombination system based on dimerizable Cre– mediated recombination in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Using a novel single vector strategy that allows ligand-dependent, efficient removal of a gene of interest, we generated three knockouts of apicomplexan genes considered essential for host-cell invasion. Our findings uncover the existence of an alternative invasion pathway in apicomplexan parasites.

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