Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42426865›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2026

Progesterone interferes with microtubule-dependent cell division in Toxoplasma gondii.

Zhili Shan, Zifu Zhu, Na Yang, Yanqun Pei, Jing Liu, Yong Fu, Qun Liu

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zhili ShanState Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China.
Zifu ZhuState Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China.
Na YangState Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China.
Yanqun PeiState Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China.
Jing LiuState Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China.
Yong FuState Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China. fuyong@cau.edu.cn.
Qun LiuState Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No.2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China. qunliu@cau.edu.cn.

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China 2023YFD1802401National Key Research and Development Program of China NO.6264032
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundToxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic intracellular parasite that can cause severe reproductive disorders during pregnancy. Progesterone is markedly elevated during pregnancy and has been shown to affect the replication of T. gondii. However, the downstream cellular processes and molecular mechanisms underlying progesterone-mediated regulation of parasite replication remain unclear.

methodsTranscriptomic analysis was performed to investigate the global gene expression changes in tachyzoites after progesterone treatment. Differentially expressed genes were subjected to functional enrichment analysis. The effects of progesterone on parasite division were further assessed by immunofluorescence assays targeting subpellicular microtubules, centrosome, and organelles.

resultsTranscriptomic analysis identified 329 differentially expressed genes after progesterone treatment, which were mainly enriched in microtubule-associated pathways, including microtubule motor activity and microtubule-based movement. Although the overall structure of subpellicular microtubules showed no detectable alteration, progesterone selectively disrupted division of the outer core of the centrosome, while the inner core of the centrosome was largely unaffected. Further analysis of organelle division showed that progesterone mainly interfered with early events of endodyogeny, including the segregation of the centrosome, Golgi, and apicoplast, whereas later division-related structures were less affected.

conclusionsThese findings indicate that progesterone impairs T. gondii replication by selectively interfering with microtubule-dependent processes, especially outer core centrosome division. This study provides new insight into how the pregnancy-associated hormone progesterone regulates parasite replication.

Indexed as

Cell DivisionMicrotubulesProgesteroneToxoplasmaAnimalsCentrosomeFemaleGene Expression ProfilingHumansProgesteroneCentrosome divisionMicrotubule-associated pathwaysProgesteroneToxoplasma gondii

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.