CellBioNewsFeb 16, 2024

#Toxoplasmosis: Researchers identify protein that #evolved alongside #infection machinery.

#parasite #Toxoplasma #Plasmodium #rhoptries #micronemes #ArlX3 #golgi

https://phys.org/news/2024-02-toxoplasmosis-protein-evolved-infection-machinery.html

Toxoplasmosis: Researchers identify protein that evolved alongside infection machinery

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease found worldwide, caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In humans, infection poses a particular risk to pregnant women, as it can lead to birth defects. Like the closely related malaria pathogen—Plasmodium falciparum—and other related species, T. gondii possesses special organelles, so-called rhoptries and micronemes, for infecting the host cell.

Phys.org
CellBioNewsOct 31, 2023

#CLAMP complex helps #parasites enter human #cells.

#Apicomplexan #micronemes #Toxoplasma

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-clamp-complex-parasites-human-cells.html

CLAMP complex helps parasites enter human cells

Apicomplexan parasites are a group of single-celled organisms responsible for several serious and prevalent diseases, from malaria, to a severe childhood diarrhea (cryptosporidiosis), to toxoplasmosis—a disease that endangers pregnant women and fetuses, and is the reason pregnant women are told to avoid changing cat litter.

Phys.org