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Diversity of Protists II

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Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...

Diversity of Protists I

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Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...

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Eukaryotic Evolution

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi

Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi

Published on: May 12, 2023

piRNA pathway evolution beyond gonad context: Perspectives from apicomplexa and trypanosomatids.

S Horjales¹, M Li Calzi², M E Francia^1,3

¹Apicomplexa Biology Laboratory, Institute Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Frontiers in Genetics

|February 23, 2023

Summary

PIWI-related machinery, involved in genome defense via piRNAs, is present in parasitic protozoa like Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii, suggesting ancient functions beyond germline maintenance.

Keywords:

Argonautes (AGO)PIWI Toxoplasma Trypanosoma piRNA biogenesis

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QTL Mapping and CRISPR/Cas9 Editing to Identify a Drug Resistance Gene in Toxoplasma gondii

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Published on: June 22, 2017

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Parasitology

Background:

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial for genome defense against transposable elements in germ cells.
Emerging evidence shows piRNA pathways exist in non-gonadal somatic cells and diverse organisms, with roles beyond genome defense.
The genome defense mechanisms in early-branching parasitic protozoa remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and potential ancestral roles of PIWI/piRNA machinery in parasitic protozoa.
To highlight the significance of these pathways for genome integrity and host-parasite interactions.

Main Methods:

Bioinformatic analysis to identify PIWI-related machinery members in protozoan parasites.
Review of existing literature on piRNA pathways in various organisms and protozoan parasites.
Proposal of a model for the evolution of PIWI/piRNA pathways.

Main Results:

Putative PIWI-related machinery members have been identified in protozoan parasites, including Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii.
A PIWI-like protein in Trypanosoma cruzi is associated with small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) within secreted extracellular vesicles.
The presence of PIWI-like machinery in these parasites suggests an ancestral piRNA system with broader functions.

Conclusions:

PIWI-like machinery in Trypansomatids and Apicomplexa may represent an ancient form of the piRNA pathway.
Ancient PIWI proteins likely had functions independent of germline maintenance, evolving complexity in multicellular eukaryotes.
Understanding PIWI/piRNAs in protozoa is key to comprehending genome integrity and parasite modulation of host defenses.