Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1
BackgroundToxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, utilizes dense granule proteins to modulate host cell processes. Dense granule protein 23 (GRA23) facilitates molecular trafficking between the parasitophorous vacuole and host cell cyto-plasm, though its specific host protein interac...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1585261/full |
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| author | Xuewei Fan Xuewei Fan Nan Zhang Xichen Zhang Shudong Li Jiangming Fu Min Sun Xiaoxiao Ma Muhammad Zahoor Khan Xin Jiang |
| author_facet | Xuewei Fan Xuewei Fan Nan Zhang Xichen Zhang Shudong Li Jiangming Fu Min Sun Xiaoxiao Ma Muhammad Zahoor Khan Xin Jiang |
| author_sort | Xuewei Fan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundToxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, utilizes dense granule proteins to modulate host cell processes. Dense granule protein 23 (GRA23) facilitates molecular trafficking between the parasitophorous vacuole and host cell cyto-plasm, though its specific host protein interactions remain poorly characterized.MethodsThis study employed pull-down assays coupled with mass spectrometry to identify host proteins interacting with GRA23.ResultsAmong 35 proteins identified, peroxisomal biogenesis factor 3 (PEX3) and TNF receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) were validated through bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed significant enrichment of these interacting proteins in metabolic pathways and cellular processes related to reproduction, growth, and development.ConclusionThe interaction between GRA23 and PEX3 suggests potential parasite modulation of peroxisomal functions, while its association with TRAP1 indicates possible exploitation of host chaperone mechanisms. This study provides the first evidence that GRA23 interacts with host proteins implicated in key cellular functions, offering novel insights into T. gondii pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for toxoplasmosis treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-05c0320fd1e9484cbbf5bd53ae1166a8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-05c0320fd1e9484cbbf5bd53ae1166a82025-08-20T02:28:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-05-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15852611585261Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1Xuewei Fan0Xuewei Fan1Nan Zhang2Xichen Zhang3Shudong Li4Jiangming Fu5Min Sun6Xiaoxiao Ma7Muhammad Zahoor Khan8Xin Jiang9College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, ChinaHeilongjiang Agricultural Economy Vocational College, Mudanjiang, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, ChinaHeilongjiang Agricultural Economy Vocational College, Mudanjiang, ChinaHeilongjiang Agricultural Economy Vocational College, Mudanjiang, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, ChinaHeilongjiang Agricultural Economy Vocational College, Mudanjiang, ChinaBackgroundToxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, utilizes dense granule proteins to modulate host cell processes. Dense granule protein 23 (GRA23) facilitates molecular trafficking between the parasitophorous vacuole and host cell cyto-plasm, though its specific host protein interactions remain poorly characterized.MethodsThis study employed pull-down assays coupled with mass spectrometry to identify host proteins interacting with GRA23.ResultsAmong 35 proteins identified, peroxisomal biogenesis factor 3 (PEX3) and TNF receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) were validated through bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed significant enrichment of these interacting proteins in metabolic pathways and cellular processes related to reproduction, growth, and development.ConclusionThe interaction between GRA23 and PEX3 suggests potential parasite modulation of peroxisomal functions, while its association with TRAP1 indicates possible exploitation of host chaperone mechanisms. This study provides the first evidence that GRA23 interacts with host proteins implicated in key cellular functions, offering novel insights into T. gondii pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for toxoplasmosis treatment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1585261/fullToxoplasma gondiiGRA23BiFCPEX3TRAP1 |
| spellingShingle | Xuewei Fan Xuewei Fan Nan Zhang Xichen Zhang Shudong Li Jiangming Fu Min Sun Xiaoxiao Ma Muhammad Zahoor Khan Xin Jiang Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1 Frontiers in Veterinary Science Toxoplasma gondii GRA23 BiFC PEX3 TRAP1 |
| title | Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1 |
| title_full | Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1 |
| title_fullStr | Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1 |
| title_short | Molecular interactions of Toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 (GRA23) with host proteins PEX3 and TRAP1 |
| title_sort | molecular interactions of toxoplasma gondii dense granule 23 gra23 with host proteins pex3 and trap1 |
| topic | Toxoplasma gondii GRA23 BiFC PEX3 TRAP1 |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1585261/full |
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