Functions of Posttranslational Modifications in <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> and Their Potential as Drug Targets

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite. Currently, the effective drugs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis are mainly pyrimethamine and sulfonamide, but these drugs have high toxicity and side effects, so the search for new and effective drug targets is urgent. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are certain chemical groups that are covalently coupled to specific amino acids within a protein. Studies have shown that T. gondii expresses a variety of proteins that require PTMs to regulate the parasite’s response to extracellular stimuli and life cycle transitions at different developmental stages. In this review, we summarize and analyze the 14 PTMs that have been found in T. gondii proteins to date and their roles in T. gondii growth and development. In addition, we discuss the potential crosstalk between T. gondii PTMs at different stages and summarize the results of studies on inhibitors that target PTM regulatory factors. The aim is to further analyze the functions of PTMs in the development and pathogenesis of T. gondii and to lay the foundation for the search for new anti‐ T. gondii drug targets.