Metabolic adaptability and nutrient scavenging in <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> : insights from ingestion pathway-deficient mutants

<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an obligate intracellular pathogen that infects virtually any nucleated cell in most warm-blooded animals. Infections are asymptomatic in most cases, but people with weakened immunity can experience severe disease. For the parasite to replicate within the host, it must efficiently acquire essential nutrients, especially as it is unable to make several key metabolites. Understanding the mechanisms by which <i>Toxoplasma</i> scavenges nutrients from the host is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets. Our study suggests that the ingestion pathway contributes to sustaining parasite metabolites and parasite replication under amino acid-limiting conditions. This work advances our understanding of the metabolic adaptability of <i>Toxoplasma</i>.