Metabolic reconstruction identifies strain-specific regulation of virulence in Toxoplasma gondii

Mol Syst Biol. 2013 Nov 19:9:708. doi: 10.1038/msb.2013.62.

Abstract

Increasingly, metabolic potential is proving to be a critical determinant governing a pathogen's virulence as well as its capacity to expand its host range. To understand the potential contribution of metabolism to strain-specific infectivity differences, we present a constraint-based metabolic model of the opportunistic parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Dominated by three clonal strains (Type I, II, and III demonstrating distinct virulence profiles), T. gondii exhibits a remarkably broad host range. Integrating functional genomic data, our model (which we term as iCS382) reveals that observed strain-specific differences in growth rates are driven by altered capacities for energy production. We further predict strain-specific differences in drug susceptibilities and validate one of these predictions in a drug-based assay, with a Type I strain demonstrating resistance to inhibitors that are effective against a Type II strain. We propose that these observed differences reflect an evolutionary strategy that allows the parasite to extend its host range, as well as result in a subsequent partitioning into discrete strains that display altered virulence profiles across different hosts, different organs, and even cell types.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology
  • Diphosphonates / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / parasitology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Host Specificity
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Engineering
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Quinolines / pharmacology
  • Species Specificity
  • Toxoplasma / drug effects
  • Toxoplasma / genetics
  • Toxoplasma / metabolism*
  • Toxoplasma / pathogenicity*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • Quinolines