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The mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex in trypanosomes.

Noelia Lander1, Miguel A Chiurillo1, Mayara S Bertolini1

  • 1Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Cell Biology International
|December 30, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Mitochondrial calcium uptake in trypanosomes led to identifying the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). In these parasites, MCU is essential for survival, offering potential for new anti-parasitic drugs.

Keywords:
calcium signalingcell bioenergeticsmitochondrial calcium uniporter complextrypanosomes

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mitochondrial calcium uptake is vital in eukaryotes, mediated by the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex.
  • The MCU complex in trypanosomes, causative agents of neglected tropical diseases, has a simpler structure than in mammals.
  • Understanding trypanosome MCU is crucial due to its essential role in parasite survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the identification of the MCU in trypanosomes.
  • To summarize the functional characterization of the MCU complex (MCUC) in trypanosomes.
  • To highlight the potential of MCUC as a therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mitochondrial calcium uptake in trypanosomes.
  • Analysis of genetic and biochemical data on MCUC components in Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi.
  • Comparison of MCUC structure and function between trypanosomes and other eukaryotes.

Main Results:

  • Conserved mitochondrial calcium uptake mechanisms in trypanosomes were key to identifying the MCU.
  • The MCU complex in trypanosomes is essential for parasite growth and survival, unlike in mammals.
  • TbMCU is essential in Trypanosoma brucei, and MCUb is essential in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Conclusions:

  • The study of mitochondrial calcium uptake in trypanosomes has significantly advanced our understanding of the MCU.
  • The essentiality of MCU in trypanosomes presents a promising avenue for developing novel chemotherapeutics against African and American trypanosomiasis.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles of MCUC components in parasite bioenergetics and calcium signaling.