Biochemistry and Metabolism of Toxoplasma gondii. Carbohydrates, Lipids and Nucleotides.

As obligate intracellular parasites, the Apicomplexa, including Toxoplasma gondii, must either synthesize or acquire essential nutrients while evading host defenses. The metabolic pathways of Toxoplasma reflect the evolutionary relationship of the Apicomplexa to plants as illustrated by the activities of the relict plastid, the apicoplast, as well as other plant-like pathways, such as amylopectin synthesis. Carbohydrate metabolism is developmentally regulated in T. gondii with specialized enzymes for different life-cycle stages. More recent studies have revealed that lipid metabolism consists of unique and conserved scavenging and biosynthetic capabilities. This chapter highlights the metabolic pathways of T. gondii and illustrates important and unique aspects of carbohydrate, lipid and nucleotide metabolism that may pose potential drug targets.