Formation of Fe-S clusters in the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei

Abstract

This thesis focuses on iron sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis by the ISC machinery in the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei. Most of proteins in the pathway show conserved functions, while some features are distinct from their counterparts in other organisms. We also show here the essentiality of the ISC machinery in bloodstream stage despite the fact that the parasites contain the rudimentary mitochondrion in this stage. The key player for the ISC export machinery, which is indispensable in the maturation of extra-mitochondrial Fe-S proteins, shows some extraordinary phenomena which may imply the moonlighting function of the protein. I also show preliminary data of an ongoing project concerning a putative heme transporter. The results indicate role in heme uptake of the protein, but further study is required to confirm the function of the protein.