Abstract 1554 Understanding the role of BFD2 in stress-dependent translation during Toxoplasma differentiation

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous human parasite that can cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals and developing fetuses. Its complex life cycle involves stress-induced differentiation from rapidly-dividing tachyzoites to slow-growing bradyzoites, which produce chronic cysts in brain and muscle tissue. This transition is coordinated by the transcription factor BFD1 and one of its direct transcriptional targets, the RNA-binding protein BFD2. Under stress, BFD2 binds the BFD1 mRNA and induces BFD1 translation, forming a positive feedback loop that drives differentiation.