Characterisation of host cell genes which are pathogen specifically induced by Txoplasma gondii

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The obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii replicates within a fusion incompetent parasitophorous vacuole. Pores within the membrane of this vacuole allow the parasite to access the metabolite pool of its host cell. As a response to infection, the host cell changes its pattern of gene expression. The aim of this project is to identify host cell genes, which are pathogen-specifically induced after infection with T. gondii, but not after infection with other intracellular pathogens. Two genes, - the transferrin receptor and MacMARCKS - which fulfill these criteria were already identified in a pilot experiment. Expanding on these results, comparative microarray analysis will be applied to determine the transcriptional profile of host cells infected with Toxoplasma gondii, Salmonella typhimurium or Chlamydia trachomatis in order to identify novel, T. gondii-specifically upregulated genes. Starting with investigations on the transferrin receptor these genes will be used to identify and unravel Toxoplasma- or apicomplexan-specific parasite-host cell interactions. The long term goal is to understand the consequences of this specific upregulation for the parasite-host cell interaction.