Plasmid maps and sequences, manuscript "Establishment of a stable transfection and gene targeting system in Babesia divergens", Cubillos EFG et al. 2023

Manuscript abstract: <i>Babesia divergens</i> is an emerging tick-borne pathogen considered as the principal causative agent of bovine babesiosis in Europe with a notable zoonotic risk to human health. Despite its increasing impact, considerable gaps persist in our understanding of the molecular interactions between this parasite and its hosts. In this study, we address the current limitation of functional genomic tools in <i>B. divergens</i> and introduce a stable transfection system specific to this parasite. We define the parameters for a drug selection system <i>hdhfr</i>-WR99210 and evaluate different transfection protocols for highly efficient generation of transgenic parasites expressing GFP. We proved that plasmid delivery into bovine erythrocytes prior to their infection is the most optimal transfection approach for <i>B. divergens,</i> providing novel evidence of <i>Babesia</i> parasites' ability to spontaneously uptake external DNA from erythrocytes cytoplasm. Furthermore, we validated the bidirectional and symmetrical activity of <i>ef-tgtp</i> promoter, enabling simultaneous expression of external genes. Lastly, we generated a <i>B. divergens </i>knockout line by targeting a <i>6-cys-e</i> gene locus. The observed dispensability of this gene in intraerythrocytic parasite development makes it a suitable recipient locus for further transgenic application. The platform for genetic manipulations presented herein serves as the initial step towards developing advanced functional genomic tools enabling the discovery of <i>B. divergens</i> molecules involved in host-vector-pathogen interactions.