The glycosomal ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase of Trypanosoma brucei operates also in the gluconeogenic direction

ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (PFK) is considered an irreversible glycolytic enzyme. This study shows that Trypanosoma brucei is the only known organism that uses PFK in the gluconeogenic direction under physiological conditions, likely due to its compartmentalization within glycosomes.

Pam16 and Pam18 were repurposed during Trypanosoma brucei evolution to regulate the replication of mitochondrial DNA

Pam16 and Pam18 are conserved co-chaperones essential for mitochondrial protein import in eukaryotes, but not in the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. This study shows that the function of TbPam16/18 has been repurposed during evolution to regulate the replication of maxicircles within the T. brucei mitochondrial genome.

ERC Advanced Grant: 2.5 Million Euros for Isabel Roditi

ERC Advanced Grant: 2.5 Million Euros for Isabel Roditi

Mapping diversity in African trypanosomes using high resolution spatial proteomics - Nature Communications

The molecular diversity between parasite species and life-stages correlate with diversity in the hosts they infect or the pathologies they cause. Here, Moloney et al., map the spatial proteomes of two African trypanosome species across two life stages and identify key routes of parasitic adaptation.

Single-Molecule Structure and Topology of Kinetoplast DNA Networks

This high-resolution imaging study investigates a unique interlinked DNA found in certain single-cell parasites and reveals the genome's unusual structure and topology at single-molecule resolution.

African trypanosomes mapped for the first time to understand evolution and potential treatments

A parasite which has devastating impacts on agriculture and human health is the first pathogen to have its proteins located and mapped within its cells—providing clues to their function and helping to identify potential drug targets.