Toxoplasma secreting Cre recombinase for analysis of host-parasite interactions

Nat Methods. 2010 Apr;7(4):307-9. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.1438. Epub 2010 Mar 7.

Abstract

We describe a Toxoplasma gondii strain that will permit the use of site-specific recombination to study the host-parasite interactions of this organism. This Toxoplasma strain efficiently injects a Cre fusion protein into host cells. In a Cre-reporter cell line, a single parasite invasion induced Cre-mediated recombination in 95% of infected host cells. By infecting Cre-reporter mice with these parasites, we also monitored host-cell infection in vivo.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Integrases / genetics
  • Integrases / immunology
  • Integrases / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Toxoplasma / enzymology*
  • Toxoplasma / genetics
  • Toxoplasmosis / parasitology*
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases