Screening the MMV Pathogen Box reveals the mitochondrial bc(1)-complex as a drug target in mature Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites.

Mitochondrial bc(1)-complex is identified as a key drug target in mature Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites, with 25-30% of humans infected globally.

• Why it matters: Treatments currently only target the rapidly dividing tachyzoites, leaving chronic bradyzoite stages unaffected, which leads to persistent infection and transmission risks.
• What they did: Using a human myotube-based culture model, 100 compounds from the MMV Pathogen Box were screened against resistant bradyzoites, revealing multiple active compounds and metabolic insights.
• The result: Targeting the mitochondrial bc(1)-complex disrupts bradyzoite energy production, offering a promising avenue for developing therapies that eradicate chronic T. gondii infections.