The role of mitochondrial SCoAS substrate-level phosphorylation in the bloodstream form <i>T. brucei</i>

Abstract

Mitochondrial metabolism of Trypanosoma brucei is considered highly reduced because of its dysfunctional electron transport chain and tricarboxylic acid cycle. But previously published paper suggests significant mitochondrial ATP pool created by substrate phosphorylation via succinyl coenzyme A synthetase, which plays crucial role in T. brucei survival. This thesis is therefore focused on substrate phosphorylation and on influence of succinyl coenzyme A synthetase heterodimer RNAi on T. brucei cells.