精品国产一区二区桃色

Journal News

Targeting Toxoplasma parasites and their protein accomplices

Oluwadamilola 鈥淒ami鈥 Oke
April 11, 2025

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and is transmitted via contaminated food or feces. The infection can cause a range of symptoms that may be mild or severe, resulting in blindness and brain infection. Current T. gondii therapeutics are not very effective, so scientists need to further investigate potential drug targets.

Sheena Dass and a team of researchers from the Universit茅 Grenoble Alpes, France, identified seven genes responsible for expressing enzymes of metabolic interest in these parasites. Their recent in the Journal of Lipid Research characterizes one of these enzymes, T. gondii acyl-CoA synthetase 3, or TgACS3.

TgACS3 was found to be localized in the cytosol of the parasite and to upregulate its parasitic growth while increasing its chances of survival within its host. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was implemented to analyze the lipid content in the parasite, which revealed the role of TgAC3 in the uptake and utilization of its host fatty acids, generating the parasite phospholipid layer, and maintaining the growth of new parasites.

This study is an important step towards achieving targeted therapeutic mechanisms in the treatment of Toxoplasmosis, as researchers can leverage the findings shared in a more rigorous analysis.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.

Learn more
Oluwadamilola 鈥淒ami鈥 Oke

Oluwadamilola “Dami” Oke is a Ph.D. candidate of biomedical engineering at the George Washington University with an interest in communication and outreach for science advancement. She is an ASBMB Today contributing writer.

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Science

Science highlights or most popular articles

Understanding the roles of extracellular matrix and vesicles in valvular disease
Profile

Understanding the roles of extracellular matrix and vesicles in valvular disease

Oct. 30, 2025

MOSAIC scholar Cassandra Clift uses mass spectrometry and multiomics to study cardiovascular calcification and collagen dysregulation, bridging her background in bioengineering and biology to investigate extracellular vesicles and heart disease.

Lipid profiles reveal sex differences in type 2 diabetes
Journal News

Lipid profiles reveal sex differences in type 2 diabetes

Oct. 29, 2025

Researchers explored the lipid profiles of individuals with type 2 diabetes and identified potentially useful lipid biomarkers for this condition.

Serum lipids may predict early diabetes risk
Journal News

Serum lipids may predict early diabetes risk

Oct. 29, 2025

Researchers found that levels of two key fatty acids may predict worsening tolerance for glucose, independent of body fat and insulin levels. In turn, these fatty acids may serve as early T2D biomarkers.

Sex and diet shape fat tissue lipid profiles in obesity
Journal News

Sex and diet shape fat tissue lipid profiles in obesity

Oct. 29, 2025

Researchers found that sex hormone levels and diet both influence inflammation and lipid composition in obesity.

Mapping the placenta鈥檚 hormone network
Journal News

Mapping the placenta鈥檚 hormone network

Oct. 21, 2025

Study uncovers how the placenta actively metabolizes not only glucocorticoids but also novel androgens and progesterones, reshaping our understanding of pregnancy and its complications.

Biochemists and molecular biologists sweep major 2025 honors
News

Biochemists and molecular biologists sweep major 2025 honors

Oct. 20, 2025

Recent Nobel, MacArthur and Kimberly Prize honorees highlight the power of biochemistry and molecular biology to drive discovery, including immune tolerance, vaccine design and metabolic disease, and to advance medicine and improve human health.