b Intracellular pathogens can replicate efficiently only after they manipulate and modify their host cells to create an environment conducive to replication. While diverse cellular pathways are targeted by different pathogens, metabolism, membrane and cytoskeletal architecture formation, and cell death are the three primary cellular processes that are modified by infections. Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that infects ϳ30% of the world's population and causes severe and lifethreatening disease in developing fetuses, in immune-comprised patients, and in certain otherwise healthy individuals who are primarily found in South America. The high prevalence of Toxoplasma in humans is in large part a result of its ability to modulate these three host cell processes. Here, we highlight recent work defining the mechanisms by which Toxoplasma interacts with these processes. In addition, we hypothesize why some processes are modified not only in the infected host cell but also in neighboring uninfected cells.T oxoplasma gondii is a protozoan, obligate intracellular parasite that is considered one of the world's most successful pathogens (1). Multiple factors contribute to this success, including a complex life cycle in which the parasite can be transmitted by both vertical and horizontal means, efficient propagation within both its primary (felines) and intermediate hosts, extensive mechanisms to evade and disarm host immunity, an ability to form chronic lifelong infections in intermediate hosts, and a wide host tropism in which the parasite can infect most nucleated cells of warm-blooded animals (2). Central to most of these factors is that Toxoplasma has developed the means to replicate efficiently within the hostile intracellular environment of its host cell. In this review, we highlight recent data that have shed light on how parasite growth is achieved by the parasite interacting with its host cell to manipulate host signaling cascades, transcription, cell survival pathways, and membrane transport. In addition, we discuss how parasites interact with neighboring host cells and propose how this may contribute to establishing a permissive microenvironment to improve its overall success. In particular, we focus on those processes that are essential for the growth of all parasite strains and we refer readers to recent reviews that highlight how polymorphic parasite molecules contribute to Toxoplasma virulence (3-5).
NUTRIENT ACQUISITIONAs an obligate intracellular parasite that resides within a nonfusogenic vacuole, Toxoplasma must satisfy its nutritional needs by scavenging essential nutrients from its host cell. These nutrients include carbon sources (glucose and glutamine) to fuel its energy demands, specific amino acids, lipids, and other nutrients. Below, we discuss each of these and highlight pathways and processes that are unique to the parasite that could serve as novel drug targets (Fig. 1).
GLUCOSE AND GLUTAMINE POWER THE PARASITEToxoplasma expresses a full complement of glycolytic and tr...