Leishmanial proteins can correct human mitochondrial mutations

摘要

The kinetoplastid parasites are a class of flagellate protozoan microorganisms. They are characterized by the possesion, within their single mitochondrion, of a DNA-containing granule known as the kinetoplast. Trypanosomatids, which constitute an Order among kinetoplastids, contain parasitic genera that are major agents of human disease - for example, sleeping sickness and Chagas disease (caused by species of Trypanosoma) and leishmaniasis (caused by species of Leishmania). A recent publication by Mahata et al (2006) advances the surprising possibility that proteins from Leishmania may in fact be useful for treating human disease - specifically, for curing disease originating from certain mitochondrial defects.