title: [Advances in molecular parasitology].
abstract: Recent studies on molecular biology of parasites revealed novel mechanisms for the control of expression of parasitic genes. In trypanosomatid protozoa, unusual characteristics of gene regulation, including polycistronic transcription, trans-RNA splicing and RNA editing have been discovered. This review describes the recent progress of RNA editing in trypanosomes, and trans-splicing in both trypanosomes and nematodes. Studies of the editing of mRNAs in trypanosomatid mitochondria indicate the involvement of small guide RNA molecules, which are encoded in the minicircles and/or maxicircles of kinetoplast DNA. A proposed transesterification model for RNA editing suggests an analogous reaction between RNA editing and RNA splicing. In addition, the development of stable transfection system and success of homologous gene targeting in Trypanosoma and Leishmania are reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Jikei University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katakura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009348:Nematoda / Q000235:genetics*; D010274:Parasitology; D012326:RNA Splicing; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000235:genetics*