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Interorganellar communication and dynamics in the divergent eukaryotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Award Number: F31AI197675
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/05/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/04/2028

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Interorganellar communication and dynamics in the divergent eukaryotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii - Project Summary Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular pathogen belonging to the deadly parasitic phylum Apicomplexa and is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a devastating disease for immunocompromised individuals and unborn fetuses. Unfortunately, current treatments for T. gondii have severe side effects. Development of new treatments for toxoplasmosis and other diseases caused by apicomplexans relies of continuous exploration of unique aspects of their biology from which future medicinal targets may be informed. Most apicomplexan parasites contain a phylum-specific plastid organelle called the apicoplast, which was the result of a secondary endosymbiotic event. Since its acquisition, the apicoplast has co-evolved with the other organelles in the cell. It is a major source of lipids and has a particularly close relationship with the parasite’s single mitochondrion. For decades, these two organelles have been repeatedly observed to be in close contact. Furthermore, the apicoplast and mitochondrion both contribute to various shared biosynthetic pathways, indicating a need to efficiently share substrates. In other organisms, it has been shown that membrane contact sites (MCS) can be a major source of substrate exchange. MCS are non-fusogenic sites of close proximity between two organellar membranes where a dedicated function, such as exchange of lipids, metabolites, or control of organelle dynamics, occurs. These specialized structures have been observed between all organelles in traditional model organisms. In apicomplexans such at T. gondii MCS, are poorly understood. This work seeks to fill that gap by characterizing four putative MCS proteins in T. gondii, two of which are parasite-specific. Two of these candidates (DrpA and ApMt1) were found to be significantly enriched on both the mitochondrion and apicoplast membranes through a proteomic screen, indicating they may be involved in MCS between those organelles. One candidate (ApER1) was found to enriched on both the apicoplast and the ER. The final candidate (ApMtER1) was found enriched on all three organelles. Aim 1 will characterize DrpA and ApER1, as both are predicted to be involved in organelle dynamics. Aim 2 will investigate ApMt1, which contains a domain sharing secondary structure homology to lipid binding domains, and ApMtER1, a protein suspected to localize to multiple MCSs or generate tripartite MCSs. Microscopy techniques will be used to determine if these proteins localize to MCS. Various genetic and biochemical approaches will be used to confirm the functions of these proteins. Finally, ApER1, ApMt1, and ApMtER1 will be assessed using conditional knockdowns to confirm whether they are essential for parasite survival. Elucidating the functions of these proteins and their role in MCS in T. gondii will further our understanding MCS evolution and potentially provide new therapeutic leads against apicomplexans. This work will take place in the laboratory of Dr. Diego Huet at the University of Georgia’s Center for Tropical and Emerging Global diseases (CTEGD), known for its world-class parasitology research. Completion of the proposed training plan will expand the trainee’s technical skill set and prepare them for a future career in academic research.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.	310 E CAMPUS RD RM 409	ATHENS	GA	30602	CLARKE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	1	8/5/2026	NEW	$0
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.	310 E CAMPUS RD RM 409	ATHENS	GA	30602	CLARKE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	8/5/2026	NEW	$50,114
														Subtotal = $50,114

Grand Total All Awards = $50,114

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Interorganellar communication and dynamics in the divergent eukaryotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Award Number: F31AI197675

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/05/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/04/2028

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