News
New Publication in Nature Communications
26 Aug 2026
New work from the Jimenez-Ruiz group reveals how two methyltransferases coordinate the initiation of parasite motility.
We are delighted to announce a new publication from the Jimenez-Ruiz group in Nature Communications: “Dual apical methyltransferases orchestrate motility initiation in apicomplexan parasites.”
Led by Dr Elena Jimenez-Ruiz, with Dr Peipei Qin as first author, the study reveals how two apical lysine methyltransferases work together to control the initiation of motility in Toxoplasma gondii.
The team identified TgPCKMT as a key upstream regulator that anchors the actin nucleator Formin-1 at the parasite apex, enabling conoid protrusion and actin filament formation. This is coordinated with a second methyltransferase, TgAKMT, which acts downstream to promote the machinery responsible for force transmission. Together, they form a two-step regulatory system coupling actin assembly to the generation of mechanical force required for parasite motility, invasion and egress.
The study combines molecular parasitology, advanced imaging, proteomics and cryo-electron tomography, with complementary experiments in Plasmodium falciparum, highlighting the broader relevance of this mechanism across apicomplexan parasites.
Congratulations to Dr. Peipei Qin, Thrishla Kumar, Dr. Wei Li and Dr. Elena Jimenez-Ruiz from our Chair, and to our collaborators Dr. Oliwia Koczy, Dr. Simone Mattei and Dr. Ignasi Forné, on this exciting publication!