Translocation of Dense Granule Effectors across the Parasitophorous Vacuole Membrane in Toxoplasma-Infected Cells Requires the Activity of ROP17, a Rhoptry Protein Kinase. 2019

Michael W Panas, and Abel Ferrel, and Adit Naor, and Elizabeth Tenborg, and Hernan A Lorenzi, and John C Boothroyd
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites co-opt host cell functions through introduction of a large set of rhoptry- and dense granule-derived effector proteins. These effectors reach the host cytosol through different means: direct injection for rhoptry effectors and translocation across the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) for dense granule (GRA) effectors. The machinery that translocates these GRA effectors has recently been partially elucidated, revealing three components, MYR1, MYR2, and MYR3. To determine whether other proteins might be involved, we returned to a library of mutants defective in GRA translocation and selected one with a partial defect, suggesting it might be in a gene encoding a new component of the machinery. Surprisingly, whole-genome sequencing revealed a missense mutation in a gene encoding a known rhoptry protein, a serine/threonine protein kinase known as ROP17. ROP17 resides on the host cytosol side of the PVM in infected cells and has previously been known for its activity in phosphorylating and thereby inactivating host immunity-related GTPases. Here, we show that null or catalytically dead mutants of ROP17 are defective in GRA translocation across the PVM but that translocation can be rescued "in trans" by ROP17 delivered by other tachyzoites infecting the same host cell. This strongly argues that ROP17's role in regulating GRA translocation is carried out on the host cytosolic side of the PVM, not within the parasites or lumen of the parasitophorous vacuole. This represents an entirely new way in which the different secretory compartments of Toxoplasma tachyzoites collaborate to modulate the host-parasite interaction.IMPORTANCE When Toxoplasma infects a cell, it establishes a protective parasitophorous vacuole surrounding it. While this vacuole provides protection, it also serves as a barrier to the export of parasite effector proteins that impact and take control of the host cell. Our discovery here that the parasite rhoptry protein ROP17 is necessary for export of these effector proteins provides a distinct, novel function for ROP17 apart from its known role in protecting the vacuole. This will enable future research into ways in which we can prevent the export of effector proteins, thereby preventing Toxoplasma from productively infecting its animal and human hosts.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D006790 Host-Parasite Interactions The relationship between an invertebrate and another organism (the host), one of which lives at the expense of the other. Traditionally excluded from definition of parasites are pathogenic BACTERIA; FUNGI; VIRUSES; and PLANTS; though they may live parasitically. Host-Parasite Relations,Parasite-Host Relations,Host-Parasite Relationship,Parasite-Host Interactions,Host Parasite Interactions,Host Parasite Relations,Host Parasite Relationship,Host-Parasite Interaction,Host-Parasite Relation,Host-Parasite Relationships,Interaction, Host-Parasite,Interaction, Parasite-Host,Interactions, Host-Parasite,Interactions, Parasite-Host,Parasite Host Interactions,Parasite Host Relations,Parasite-Host Interaction,Parasite-Host Relation,Relation, Host-Parasite,Relation, Parasite-Host,Relations, Host-Parasite,Relations, Parasite-Host,Relationship, Host-Parasite,Relationships, Host-Parasite
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000073336 Whole Genome Sequencing Techniques to determine the entire sequence of the GENOME of an organism or individual. Complete Genome Sequencing,Genome Sequencing, Complete,Genome Sequencing, Whole,Sequencing, Complete Genome,Sequencing, Whole Genome
D014122 Toxoplasma A genus of protozoa parasitic to birds and mammals. T. gondii is one of the most common infectious pathogenic animal parasites of man. Toxoplasma gondii,Toxoplasma gondius,Toxoplasmas,gondius, Toxoplasma
D014178 Translocation, Genetic A type of chromosome aberration characterized by CHROMOSOME BREAKAGE and transfer of the broken-off portion to another location, often to a different chromosome. Chromosomal Translocation,Translocation, Chromosomal,Chromosomal Translocations,Genetic Translocation,Genetic Translocations,Translocations, Chromosomal,Translocations, Genetic
D014617 Vacuoles Any spaces or cavities within a cell. They may function in digestion, storage, secretion, or excretion. Vacuole
D015800 Protozoan Proteins Proteins found in any species of protozoan. Proteins, Protozoan
D020125 Mutation, Missense A mutation in which a codon is mutated to one directing the incorporation of a different amino acid. This substitution may result in an inactive or unstable product. (From A Dictionary of Genetics, King & Stansfield, 5th ed) Missense Mutation,Missense Mutations,Mutations, Missense
D037521 Virulence Factors Those components of an organism that determine its capacity to cause disease but are not required for its viability per se. Two classes have been characterized: TOXINS, BIOLOGICAL and surface adhesion molecules that effect the ability of the microorganism to invade and colonize a host. (From Davis et al., Microbiology, 4th ed. p486) Pathogenicity Factor,Pathogenicity Factors,Virulence Factor,Factor, Pathogenicity,Factor, Virulence,Factors, Pathogenicity,Factors, Virulence

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