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Mitochondria in malaria and related parasites: ancient, diverse and streamlined
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Mitochondria in malaria and related parasites: ancient, diverse and streamlined

Michael W Mather and Akhil B Vaidya
Journal of bioenergetics and biomembranes, v 40(5), pp 425-433
Oct 2008
PMID: 18814021

Abstract

Humans Plasmodium - physiology Apicomplexa - ultrastructure Plasmodium - drug effects Toxoplasma - physiology Mitochondria - ultrastructure Toxoplasma - ultrastructure Mitochondria - genetics Cryptosporidium - genetics Host-Parasite Interactions Microscopy, Electron, Transmission Cryptosporidium - physiology Apicomplexa - physiology Plasmodium - genetics Mitochondria - drug effects Apicomplexa - genetics Antimalarials - pharmacology Citric Acid Cycle Biological Evolution Animals Toxoplasma - genetics Models, Biological Cryptosporidium - ultrastructure Plasmodium - ultrastructure Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins - physiology Mitochondria - physiology Proton-Motive Force
Parasitic organisms have emerged from nearly every corner of the eukaryotic kingdom and hence display tremendous diversity of form and function. This diversity extends to their mitochondria and mitochondrion-derived organelles. While the principles of the chemiosmotic theory apply to all these pathogens, the differences from their hosts provide opportunities for therapeutic development. In this review we discuss examples of mitochondrial systems from a deep-branching phylum, Apicomplexa. Many important human pathogens, such as malaria parasites, belong to this phylum. Unique features of their mitochondria are validated targets for drugs that are selectively toxic to the parasites.

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Web of Science research areas
Biophysics
Cell Biology
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