Pantothenate biosynthesis is critical for chronic infection by the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential metabolite found in all organisms and its synthesis involves five conserved enzymatic steps and uses pantothenate (Pan) as a precursor. Here, Lunghi et al. examine the Pan synthesis pathway in Toxoplasma gondii and find that Pan is crucial for the establishment of chronic but not acute infection.