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Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Intracellular parasitism
Marie-France Cesbron-Delauw
We are interested in survival adaptations and pathogenesis of intracellular parasites. Our model is Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous protozoan parasite that infects virtually all types of nucleated vertebrate cells. Within the host cell, the parasite resides within a specialized vacuole termed “parasitophorous vacuole” that forms from the plasma membrane during invasion, but remains segregated from other endocytic compartments. We are currently studying both the biogenesis and functions of the vacuole. We have shown that the parasitophorous vacuole is extensively modified by secretion of parasite’s proteins. We are now exploring the mechanisms of proteins secretion, their trafficking and their functions in parasite-infected cells. Another important aspect of our research concerns host species barrier. We have recently found a single locus that controls in dominant manner refractoriness vs susceptibility to Toxoplasma infection in the rat. Our current goal is to identify the gene(s) at work and the molecular and cellular basis of refractoriness.
National & international cooperations
1. Gilbert J Fournié, INSERM U563 - CPTP (Centre de Physiopathologie Toulouse Purpan) Département "Génétique fonctionnelle des maladies des épithéliums"Toulouse
2. Eric Maréchal, UMR 5168 CNRS-CEA-INRA-Université J. Fourier & Centre de Criblage pour des Molécules Bio-Actives, DRDC,CEA-Grenoble
3. Jean-François Dubremetz, UMR CNRS 5539, Universite de Montpellier
4. Rima McLeod, University of Chicago, USA
5. Ricardo Mondragon, Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV) Department of Biochemistry, Mexico.
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