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Yarlett N, Jarroll EL, Morada M, Lloyd D. Protists: Eukaryotic single-celled organisms and the functioning of their organelles. Adv Microb Physiol 2024; 84:243-307. [PMID: 38821633 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Organelles are membrane bound structures that compartmentalize biochemical and molecular functions. With improved molecular, biochemical and microscopy tools the diversity and function of protistan organelles has increased in recent years, providing a complex panoply of structure/function relationships. This is particularly noticeable with the description of hydrogenosomes, and the diverse array of structures that followed, having hybrid hydrogenosome/mitochondria attributes. These diverse organelles have lost the major, at one time, definitive components of the mitochondrion (tricarboxylic cycle enzymes and cytochromes), however they all contain the machinery for the assembly of Fe-S clusters, which is the single unifying feature they share. The plasticity of organelles, like the mitochondrion, is therefore evident from its ability to lose its identity as an aerobic energy generating powerhouse while retaining key ancestral functions common to both aerobes and anaerobes. It is interesting to note that the apicoplast, a non-photosynthetic plastid that is present in all apicomplexan protozoa, apart from Cryptosporidium and possibly the gregarines, is also the site of Fe-S cluster assembly proteins. It turns out that in Cryptosporidium proteins involved in Fe-S cluster biosynthesis are localized in the mitochondrial remnant organelle termed the mitosome. Hence, different organisms have solved the same problem of packaging a life-requiring set of reactions in different ways, using different ancestral organelles, discarding what is not needed and keeping what is essential. Don't judge an organelle by its cover, more by the things it does, and always be prepared for surprises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Yarlett
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, NY, United States; The Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Edward L Jarroll
- Department of Biological Sciences, CUNY-Lehman College, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Mary Morada
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Lloyd
- Schools of Biosciences and Engineering, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom
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Igloi GL. The Evolutionary Fate of Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases in Amitochondrial Organisms. J Mol Evol 2021; 89:484-493. [PMID: 34254168 PMCID: PMC8318970 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-021-10019-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
During the endosymbiotic evolution of mitochondria, the genes for aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were transferred to the ancestral nucleus. A further reduction of mitochondrial function resulted in mitochondrion-related organisms (MRO) with a loss of the organelle genome. The fate of the now redundant ancestral mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes is uncertain. The derived protein sequence for arginyl-tRNA synthetase from thirty mitosomal organisms have been classified as originating from the ancestral nuclear or mitochondrial gene and compared to the identity element at position 20 of the cognate tRNA that distinguishes the two enzyme forms. The evolutionary choice between loss and retention of the ancestral mitochondrial gene for arginyl-tRNA synthetase reflects the coevolution of arginyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA identity elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor L Igloi
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestr. 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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Abstract
The discovery of mitochondrion-type genes in organisms thought to lack mitochondria led to the demonstration that hydrogenosomes share a common ancestry with mitochondria, as well as the discovery of mitosomes in multiple eukaryotic lineages. No examples of examined eukaryotes lacking a mitochondrion-related organelle exist, implying that the endosymbiont that gave rise to the mitochondrion was present in the first eukaryote. These organelles, known as hydrogenosomes, mitosomes, or mitochondrion-like organelles, are typically reduced, both structurally and biochemically, relative to classical mitochondria. However, despite their diversification and adaptation to different niches, all appear to play a role in Fe-S cluster assembly, as observed for mitochondria. Although evidence supports the use of common protein targeting mechanisms in the biogenesis of these diverse organelles, divergent features are also apparent. This review examines the metabolism and biogenesis of these organelles in divergent unicellular microbes, with a focus on parasitic protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- April M Shiflett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1489, USA
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Hjort K, Goldberg AV, Tsaousis AD, Hirt RP, Embley TM. Diversity and reductive evolution of mitochondria among microbial eukaryotes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2010; 365:713-27. [PMID: 20124340 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
All extant eukaryotes are now considered to possess mitochondria in one form or another. Many parasites or anaerobic protists have highly reduced versions of mitochondria, which have generally lost their genome and the capacity to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. These organelles have been called hydrogenosomes, when they make hydrogen, or remnant mitochondria or mitosomes when their functions were cryptic. More recently, organelles with features blurring the distinction between mitochondria, hydrogenosomes and mitosomes have been identified. These organelles have retained a mitochondrial genome and include the mitochondrial-like organelle of Blastocystis and the hydrogenosome of the anaerobic ciliate Nyctotherus. Studying eukaryotic diversity from the perspective of their mitochondrial variants has yielded important insights into eukaryote molecular cell biology and evolution. These investigations are contributing to understanding the essential functions of mitochondria, defined in the broadest sense, and the limits to which reductive evolution can proceed while maintaining a viable organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Hjort
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
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Lithgow T, Schneider A. Evolution of macromolecular import pathways in mitochondria, hydrogenosomes and mitosomes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2010; 365:799-817. [PMID: 20124346 PMCID: PMC2817224 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
All eukaryotes require mitochondria for survival and growth. The origin of mitochondria can be traced down to a single endosymbiotic event between two probably prokaryotic organisms. Subsequent evolution has left mitochondria a collection of heterogeneous organelle variants. Most of these variants have retained their own genome and translation system. In hydrogenosomes and mitosomes, however, the entire genome was lost. All types of mitochondria import most of their proteome from the cytosol, irrespective of whether they have a genome or not. Moreover, in most eukaryotes, a variable number of tRNAs that are required for mitochondrial translation are also imported. Thus, import of macromolecules, both proteins and tRNA, is essential for mitochondrial biogenesis. Here, we review what is known about the evolutionary history of the two processes using a recently revised eukaryotic phylogeny as a framework. We discuss how the processes of protein import and tRNA import relate to each other in an evolutionary context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Lithgow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia
| | - André Schneider
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestr. 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Maralikova B, Ali V, Nakada-Tsukui K, Nozaki T, van der Giezen M, Henze K, Tovar J. Bacterial-type oxygen detoxification and iron-sulfur cluster assembly in amoebal relict mitochondria. Cell Microbiol 2010; 12:331-42. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2009.01397.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Takano JI, Tachibana H, Kato M, Narita T, Yanagi T, Yasutomi Y, Fujimoto K. DNA characterization of simian Entamoeba histolytica-like strains to differentiate them from Entamoeba histolytica. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:929-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1480-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 05/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Picazarri K, Nakada‐Tsukui K, Sato D, Nozaki T. Chapter 24 Analysis of Autophagy in the Enteric Protozoan Parasite Entamoeba. Methods Enzymol 2008; 451:359-71. [DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(08)03224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Schuster FL, Visvesvara GS. Amebae and ciliated protozoa as causal agents of waterborne zoonotic disease. Vet Parasitol 2005; 126:91-120. [PMID: 15567581 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The roles free-living amebae and the parasitic protozoa Entamoeba histolytica and Balantidium coli play as agents of waterborne zoonotic diseases are examined. The free-living soil and water amebae Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., and Balamuthia mandrillaris are recognized etiologic agents of mostly fatal amebic encephalitides in humans and other animals, with immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts among the victims. Acanthamoeba spp. are also agents of amebic keratitis. Infection is through the respiratory tract, breaks in the skin, or by uptake of water into the nostrils, with spread to the central nervous system. E. histolytica and B. coli are parasitic protozoa that cause amebic dysentery and balantidiasis, respectively. Both intestinal infections are spread via a fecal-oral route, with cysts as the infective stage. Although the amebic encephalitides can be acquired by contact with water, they are not, strictly speaking, waterborne diseases and are not transmitted to humans from animals. Non-human primates and swine are reservoirs for E. histolytica and B. coli, and the diseases they cause are acquired from cysts, usually in sewage-contaminated water. Amebic dysentery and balantidiasis are examples of zoonotic waterborne infections, though human-to-human transmission can occur. The epidemiology of the diseases is examined, as are diagnostic procedures, anti-microbial interventions, and the influence of globalization, climate change, and technological advances on their spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick L Schuster
- California Department of Health Services, Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
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Hackstein JHP, Yarlett N. Hydrogenosomes and symbiosis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 41:117-42. [PMID: 16623392 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-28221-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes H P Hackstein
- Department of Evolutionary Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, NL 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Dong J, Wen J, Xin D, Lu S. Evolutionary status ofEntamoeba. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2004. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03183412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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León-Avila G, Tovar J. Mitosomes of Entamoeba histolytica are abundant mitochondrion-related remnant organelles that lack a detectable organellar genome. Microbiology (Reading) 2004; 150:1245-1250. [PMID: 15133087 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.26923-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The existence of mitochondrion-related relict organelles (mitosomes) in the amitochondrial human pathogen Entamoeba histolytica and the detection of extranuclear DNA-containing cytoplasmic structures (EhKOs) has led to the suggestion that a remnant genome from the original mitochondrial endosymbiont might have been retained in this organism. This study reports on the mutually exclusive distribution of Cpn60 and extranuclear DNA in E. histolytica and on the distribution of Cpn60-containing mitosomes in this parasite. In situ nick-translation coupled to immunofluorescence microscopy failed to detect the presence of DNA in mitosomes, either in fixed parasite trophozoites or in partially purified organellar fractions. These results indicate that a remnant organellar genome has not been retained in E. histolytica mitosomes and demonstrate unequivocally that EhKOs and mitosomes are distinct and unrelated cellular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria León-Avila
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Jorge Tovar
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK
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