Mitochondrial tRNA import in T. gondii (360G-Wellcome-202549_Z_16_Z)

The protozoan phylum Apicomplexa encompasses approximately 5000 species of obligate intracellular parasites, including those responsible for malaria and toxoplasmosis. Unlike humans, the Apicomplexans posess a large single mitochondrion which fully relies on mitochondrial tRNA import (MITI) from the cytosol for translation to proceed. The Sheiner lab aims to euclidate Acomplexia-specific adaptations which allow for the import of all tRNA from the cytosol to the mitochondrion and to develop new methods for MITI study which may be employed in wider mitochondrial investigation. By identifying acomplexan apecific adaptations via analysis of the Toxoplasma MITI translocon, the Sheiner lab hopes to contribute another solved MITI system to the expanding list and to increase our understanding of mitochondrial evolution across the eukaryotic tree. The main goal of this project is to examine the role of a group of potential components of the import machinery in mitochondrial tRNA import in T. gondii by characterizing the subcellular localization and function of bioinformatically identified T. gondii MITI components. By understanding the molecular detail of this parasite specific mechanism we may identify and characterize new potential target for intervention, thus contributing to the process of drug development.