Unravelling the sexual developmental biology of , a model for comparative coccidian parasite studies.

INTRODUCTION

The apicomplexan parasite has global significance as an enteropathogen of suckling piglets. Its intricate life cycle entails a transition from an asexual phase to sexual development, ultimately leading to the formation of transmissible oocysts.

METHODS

To advance our understanding of the parasite's cellular development, we complemented previous transcriptome studies by delving into the proteome profiles at five distinct time points of cultivation through LC/MS-MS analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1,324 proteins were identified in the developmental stages of , and 1,082 proteins were identified as significantly differentially expressed. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD045050. We performed BLAST, GO enrichment, and KEGG pathway analyses on the up- and downregulated proteins to elucidate correlated events in the life cycle. Our analyses revealed intriguing metabolic patterns in macromolecule metabolism, DNA- and RNA-related processes, proteins associated with sexual stages, and those involved in cell invasion, reflecting the adaptation of sexual stages to a nutrient-poor and potentially stressful extracellular environment, with a focus on enzymes involved in metabolism and energy production.

DISCUSSION

These findings have important implications for understanding the developmental biology of as well as other, related coccidian parasites, such as spp. and . They also support the role of as a new model for the comparative biology of coccidian tissue cyst stages.