A genome-wide loss-of-function screen identifies Toxoplasma gondii genes that determine fitness in interferon gamma-activated murine macrophages

Macrophages play an essential role in the early immune response against and are the cell type preferentially infected by the parasite . Interferon gamma (IFNγ) elicits a variety of anti- activities in macrophages. Using a genome-wide CRISPR screen we identified ∼130 genes that determine parasite fitness in naїve macrophages and ∼466 genes that determine fitness in IFNγ-stimulated murine macrophages, seven of which we investigated and confirmed. We show that one of these genes encodes dense granule protein GRA45, which contains a putative chaperone-like domain, and which we show is critical in preventing other GRA effectors from aggregating. Parasites lacking mislocalize GRA effectors upon secretion, are more susceptible to IFNγ-mediated growth inhibition, and have reduced virulence in mice. Our results provide a resource for the community to further explore the function of genes that determine fitness in IFNγ-stimulated macrophages.