Toxoplasma gondii: demonstration of intrinsic peroxidase activity during lacto-peroxidase mediated radioiodination of tachyzoites.

Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii have been radioiodinated under various conditions with or without lactoperoxidase, with glucose oxidase being used to generate hydrogen peroxide. Erythrocytes were iodinated simultaneously as a control. In our conditions, tachyzoites were more intensely labelled in the absence of lactoperoxidase. This result can be explained by the existence of an intrinsic peroxidase activity which interfere with the exogenously added enzyme during surface radioiodination.

Typology of exogenous organic matters based on chemical and biochemical composition to predict potential nitrogen mineralization.

Our aim was to develop a typology predicting potential N availability of exogenous organic matters (EOMs) in soil based on their chemical characteristics. A database of 273 EOMs was constructed including analytical data of biochemical fractionation, organic C and N, and results of N mineralization during incubation of soil-EOM mixtures in controlled conditions. Multiple factor analysis and hierarchical classification were performed to gather EOMs with similar composition and N mineralization behavior. A typology was then defined using composition criteria to predict potential N mineralization. Six classes of EOM potential N mineralization in soil were defined, from high potential N mineralization to risk of inducing N immobilization in soil after application. These classes were defined on the basis of EOM organic N content and soluble, cellulose-, and lignin-like fractions. A decision tree based on these variables was constructed in order to easily attribute any EOM to 1 of the 6 classes.

Membrane fluidity of Toxoplasma gondii: a fluorescence polarization study.

Toxoplasma gondii membrane fluidity was investigated by fluorescence polarization. We used 1,6-diphenyl 1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as a fluorescent hydrophobic probe. Fluorescence anisotropy (r) and degree of order (s) showed high fluidity properties. Chemical analysis was performed on this parasite. We found a low cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, many unsaturated fatty acids chains, and high phosphatidylcholine and low sphingomyelin amounts. These results were in good agreement with the observed high fluidity. This may be related to the great adaptability of Toxoplasma gondii in infesting a wide variety of host cells.