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Apicoplast-Localized Lysophosphatidic Acid Precursor Assembly Is Required for Bulk Phospholipid Synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii and Relies on an Algal/Plant-Like Glycerol 3-Phosphate Acyltransferase.

Authors :
Amiar, Souad
MacRae, James I.
Callahan, Damien L.
Dubois, David
van Dooren, Giel G.
Shears, Melanie J.
Cesbron-Delauw, Marie-France
Maréchal, Eric
McConville, Malcolm J.
McFadden, Geoffrey I.
Yamaryo-Botté, Yoshiki
Botté, Cyrille Y.
Source :
PLoS Pathogens; 8/4/2016, Vol. 12 Issue 8, p1-30, 30p
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Most apicomplexan parasites possess a non-photosynthetic plastid (the apicoplast), which harbors enzymes for a number of metabolic pathways, including a prokaryotic type II fatty acid synthesis (FASII) pathway. In Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, the FASII pathway is essential for parasite growth and infectivity. However, little is known about the fate of fatty acids synthesized by FASII. In this study, we have investigated the function of a plant-like glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (TgATS1) that localizes to the T. gondii apicoplast. Knock-down of TgATS1 resulted in significantly reduced incorporation of FASII-synthesized fatty acids into phosphatidic acid and downstream phospholipids and a severe defect in intracellular parasite replication and survival. Lipidomic analysis demonstrated that lipid precursors are made in, and exported from, the apicoplast for de novo biosynthesis of bulk phospholipids. This study reveals that the apicoplast-located FASII and ATS1, which are primarily used to generate plastid galactolipids in plants and algae, instead generate bulk phospholipids for membrane biogenesis in T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15537366
Volume :
12
Issue :
8
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
PLoS Pathogens
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
117192097
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005765