The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has a worldwide distribution; it can cause serious diseases in humans and almost all other warm-blooded animals. Different genotypes of T. gondii result in different lesions in the same host. T. gondii rhoptry protein 8 (TgROP8) is a major factor of T. gondii acute virulence. We examined sequence variation in the TgROP8 gene among T. gondii isolates from...

Rhoptries are specialized secretory organelles found in the Apicomplexa phylum, playing a central role establishment of parasitism. The rhoptry content includes membranous as well proteinaceous materials that discharged into host cell regulated fashion during parasite entry. A set neck proteins form RON complex critically participates moving junction formation invasion. Some bulb associated wit...

Apicomplexans facilitate host cell invasion through formation of a tight-junction interface between parasite and host plasma membranes called the moving junction (MJ). A complex of the rhoptry neck proteins RONs 2/4/5/8 localize to the MJ during invasion where they are believed to provide a stable anchoring point for host penetration. During the initiation of invasion, the preformed MJ RON comp...

BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite which can infect almost all mammalian animals, leading to toxoplasmosis. T. gondii rhoptry protein 38 (TgROP38) is an active rhoptry protein kinase which is involved in the inhibitory effect on host cell transcription by down-regulating the MAPK signaling track. METHODS TgROP38 gene was amplified and inserted into eukaryotic v...

We have identified waved 3 (wa3), a novel recessive mutation that causes abnormalities of the heart and skin. The cardiac defect results in a severe and rapidly progressive dilated cardiomyopathy. We identified the gene mutated in these mice, which we call NFkB interacting protein1 (Nkip1), using positional cloning. Nkip1 is expressed in skin, heart and vascular endothelium and shares homology ...

A novel protein, OZONE-RESPONSIVE APOPLASTIC PROTEIN1 (OsORAP1), was characterized, which was previously suggested as a candidate gene underlying OzT9, a quantitative trait locus for ozone stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa). The sequence of OsORAP1 was similar to that of ASCORBATE OXIDASE (AO) proteins. It was localized in the apoplast, as shown by transient expression of an OsORAP1/green ...

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that is able to infect almost all mammalian species, and may lead to toxoplasmosis of the host. In the present study, we examined sequence variation in rhoptry protein 38 (ROP38) genes among T. gondii isolates collected from different hosts and geographical regions. The complete ROP38 gene from 13 T. gondii isolates was amplified and seque...