Effects of BFD1 (TGME49_200385) and BFD2 (TGME49_311100) deletion on gene expression in Toxoplasma gondii during infection in neurons

Differentiation of proliferative acute stages into semi-quiescent chronic stages is key for Toxoplasma gondii persistence within an infected host. During natural infection, chronic stages are almost exclusively found in neurons, and it is well appreciated that neurons support high rates of spontaneous differentiation in cell culture. Recently, we found that parasites lacking the RNA-binding protein BFD2 are unable to produce chronic forms, consistent with a block in this develomental program. To compare the effects of BFD1 and BFD2 on chronic-stage transcriptional reprogramming in T. gondii, we profiled the transcriptomes of both 'wildtype' and BFD1- and BFD2-knockout parasites during infection of murine primary neurons. Overall design: Comparative RNA-seq analysis of ?bfd1, ?bfd2 and the parental strain of Toxoplasma (PRU), after 48h of culture in primary neurons from Cre reporter mice (Jacksons Laboratories #007906). Experiments were performed in biological triplicate (separate infections).