Scientific article
OA Policy
English

An in vivo fitness gene of Toxoplasma, MIC11, is essential for PLP1-mediated egress from host cells

First online date2026-04-04
Abstract

After invasion and replication, intracellular pathogens must egress from infected host cells. Toxoplasma gondii facilitates this process by permeabilizing host cells through induced secretion of perforin-like protein 1 (PLP1). However, the precise mechanism of host cell permeabilization remains enigmatic. Here, we identify the secretory microneme protein MIC11 as a key factor for membrane disruption. A CRISPR-based in vivo screen identifies MIC11 as the top in vivo fitness-conferring gene. Deletion of MIC11 results in severe defects in membrane rupture and egress. Scanning mutagenesis identifies functional motifs in MIC11, and mechanistic analyses support an association between MIC11 and PLP1, suggesting that MIC11 is involved in PLP1-dependent membrane disruption. Moreover, the merozoite-specific paralogue MIC22 functionally complements MIC11 deletion, suggesting a conserved mechanism of egress in the feline-restricted stages of T. gondii. Collectively, the discovery of MIC11 advances our understanding of how parasites disrupt host cells to facilitate rapid egress and successful dissemination.

Funding
  • Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development [JP223fa627002]
  • MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency [JPMJFR206D]
  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology [23KJ1469]
Citation (ISO format)
TACHIBANA, Yuta et al. An in vivo fitness gene of Toxoplasma, MIC11, is essential for PLP1-mediated egress from host cells. In: Nature communications, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-71423-x
Main files (1)
Article (Accepted version)
Identifiers
Additional URL for this publicationhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71423-x
Journal ISSN2041-1723
15views
74downloads

Technical informations

Creation04/04/2026 20:26:58
First validation08/04/2026 08:37:46
Update08/04/2026 08:37:46
Status update08/04/2026 08:37:46
Last indexation08/04/2026 08:37:47
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack