Mitochondrial biogenesis is an important process in the life cycle of African trypanosomes, occurring during their differentiation from bloodstream to procyclic trypomastigotes. The principal investigator seeks to understand this process, at the molecular and biochemical levels by exploring the molecular events that occur during mitochondrial biogenesis in African trypanosomes and their control. What coordinated expression occurs between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA genes during their transcription and translation? When does translation of these transcripts begin? What molecular mechanisms apply? The hypothesis proposed is that the development of a cyanide-sensitive electron transport system occurs as a result of the triggering of molecular control mechanisms during mitochondrial biogenesis. The identification of the regulatory steps involved will provide some clarification of the molecular events which occur during mitochondrial biogenesis in these organisms. In these studies, the specific aims will be: (1) to characterize the apocytochrome c gene with respect to its nucleotide sequence, expression, and regulation during mitochondrial biogenesis; (2) to purify and sequence the apocytochrome b protein and determine its transcription and translation products during mitochondrial biogenesis; (3) and to purify the glycerol 3-phosphate oxidase, identify and sequence its nuclear-encoded gene, and examine its regulation. The role of the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA during the biosynthesis of the mitochondrial electron transport system is important. More research at the molecular level on the factors which influence transcription and translation of nuclear and mitochondrial genes will hopefully provide clues to the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in these organisms and valuable information on how selected genes are regulated.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI021159-07
Application #
3131091
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 2 (BM)
Project Start
1983-09-01
Project End
1994-03-31
Budget Start
1992-04-01
Budget End
1993-03-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Meharry Medical College
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37208
Chaudhuri, Minu; Ott, Robert Daniel; Hill, George C (2006) Trypanosome alternative oxidase: from molecule to function. Trends Parasitol 22:484-91
Ott, Robert; Chibale, Kelly; Anderson, Sedrick et al. (2006) Novel inhibitors of the trypanosome alternative oxidase inhibit Trypanosoma brucei brucei growth and respiration. Acta Trop 100:172-84
Chaudhuri, Minu; Sharan, Rita; Hill, George C (2002) Trypanosome alternative oxidase is regulated post-transcriptionally at the level of RNA stability. J Eukaryot Microbiol 49:263-9
Ajayi, Wilfred U; Chaudhuri, Minu; Hill, George C (2002) Site-directed mutagenesis reveals the essentiality of the conserved residues in the putative diiron active site of the trypanosome alternative oxidase. J Biol Chem 277:8187-93
Chaudhuri, M; Ajayi, W; Hill, G C (1998) Biochemical and molecular properties of the Trypanosoma brucei alternative oxidase. Mol Biochem Parasitol 95:53-68
Chaudhuri, M; Hill, G C (1996) Cloning, sequencing, and functional activity of the Trypanosoma brucei brucei alternative oxidase. Mol Biochem Parasitol 83:125-9
Chaudhuri, M; Ajayi, W; Temple, S et al. (1995) Identification and partial purification of a stage-specific 33 kDa mitochondrial protein as the alternative oxidase of the Trypanosoma brucei brucei bloodstream trypomastigotes. J Eukaryot Microbiol 42:467-72
Wirtz, E; Sylvester, D; Hill, G C (1991) Characterization of a novel developmentally regulated gene from Trypanosoma brucei encoding a potential phosphoprotein. Mol Biochem Parasitol 47:119-28
Bass Jr, H S; Njogu, R M; Hill, G C (1990) Solubilization and partial purification of glycerol-3-phosphate oxidase from mitochondria of Trypanosoma brucei. Exp Parasitol 70:486-9
Le Febvre, R B; Hill, G C (1986) Trypanosoma rhodesiense: mitochondrial proteins of bloodstream and procyclic trypomastigotes. Exp Parasitol 62:85-91

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