[Diversity of parasitic protozoan mitochondria and adaptive evolution].
Eukaryotic mitochondrion generally possess a definite and canonical structure and function. However, in the unicellular parasitic protozoa, various atypical mitochondria with respect to the number, structure, and function, have been discovered consecutively, revealing the variability, plasticity and rich diversity of mitochondrion. Here, we review the mitochondrial diversity in diverse parasitic protozoa, and the underlying reason for such diversity--the adaptive evolution of mitochondrion to the micro-oxygen or anaero parasitic environment of these parasites is also analyzed and discussed.
Tian
Hai-Feng
HF
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
Wen
Jian-Fan
JF
D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D056898:Euglenozoa / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010271:Parasites / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*