Complete circular DNA in the mitochondria-like organelles of Blastocystis hominis

Int J Parasitol. 2008 Oct;38(12):1377-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.06.001. Epub 2008 Jul 23.

Abstract

Blastocystis hominis is an anaerobic parasite of the human intestinal tract belonging to the Stramenopile group. Using genome sequencing project data, we describe here the complete sequence of a 29,270-bp circular DNA molecule that presents mitochondrial features (such as oxidative phosphorylation complex I subunits) but lacks complexes III, IV and V. Transmission electron microscopy analyses reveal that this molecule, as well as mitochondrial (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit 7 (NAD7), beta-succinyl-CoA synthetase (beta-SCS)) and hydrogenosomal (pyruvate ferredoxin oxido-reductase (PFOR), iron-hydrogenase) proteins, are located within double-membrane surrounded-compartments known as mitochondria-like organelles (MLOs). As there is no evidence for hydrogen production by this organism, we suggest that MLOs are more likely anaerobic mitochondria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Blastocystis hominis / genetics*
  • Blastocystis hominis / metabolism
  • DNA, Circular / genetics*
  • DNA, Circular / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogenase / metabolism
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / genetics*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Organelles / genetics*
  • Organelles / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Circular
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins
  • iron hydrogenase
  • Hydrogenase