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Related Experiment Videos

More plastids in human parasites?

Ross F Waller1, Malcolm J McConville, Geoffrey I McFadden

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Genetics Lane, The University of Melbourne, 3010, Australia. rfwaller@interchange.ubc.ca

Trends in Parasitology
|January 30, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Trypanosomes, disease-causing microbes, have acquired genes from plants and bacteria through lateral gene transfer. These genes are crucial for the function of their unique glycosome (a specialized peroxisome).

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Trypanosomatid parasites infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, livestock, and plants.
  • These parasites possess genes with apparent common ancestry to plants and bacteria.
  • No plastids (chloroplast-like organelles) have been found in trypanosomatids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the origin and function of plant- and bacteria-like genes in trypanosomatids.
  • To understand the implications of lateral gene transfer in trypanosomatid evolution.
  • To explore the role of these genes in the glycosome.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics to identify genes with plant/bacterial origins.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to trace gene ancestry.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Biochemical assays to determine protein function within the glycosome.

    • Main Results:

    • Numerous genes in trypanosomatids show homology to plant and bacterial genes.
    • Evidence suggests lateral gene transfer from photosynthetic organisms.
    • Many horizontally acquired gene products are localized and functional within the glycosome.

    Conclusions:

    • Lateral gene transfer has significantly shaped the genome and metabolic capabilities of trypanosomatids.
    • The glycosome is a key cellular compartment integrating horizontally acquired functions.
    • Understanding these gene transfers provides insights into trypanosomatid adaptation and pathogenicity.