Bioenergetic studies in the parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei: functional characterisation of the mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase/ATPase complex

Carolina HIERRO YAP, MSc.

Disertační práce

Abstract:

This Ph.D. thesis focuses on the functional characterisation of the mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase/ATPase complex in the parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei, a eukaryotic system that enables the study of both operation modes of the complex in physiological settings. The results presented in this thesis are divided in four topics: (i) bioenergetics consequences of mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase deficiency in two life cycle stages of the parasite, with emphasis on the roles of subunits ATPaseTb1 and OSCP, (ii) changes in energy metabolism of bloodstream form parasites depleted of cardiolipin, (iii) role of the FoF1-ATP synthase dimerisation in mitochondrial biogenesis and bioenergetics, with focus on the functional characterisation of the dimer-specific subunit g in the insect stage of the parasite, and (iv) role of subunit OSCP in the structural and functional integrity of the FoF1-ATPase in trypanosomes lacking mitochondrial DNA (akinetoplastic).

Abstract:

This Ph.D. thesis focuses on the functional characterisation of the mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase/ATPase complex in the parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei, a eukaryotic system that enables the study of both operation modes of the complex in physiological settings. The results presented in this thesis are divided in four topics: (i) bioenergetics consequences of mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase deficiency in two life cycle stages of the parasite, with emphasis on the roles of subunits ATPaseTb1 and OSCP, (ii) changes in energy metabolism of bloodstream form parasites depleted of cardiolipin, (iii) role of the FoF1-ATP synthase dimerisation in mitochondrial biogenesis and bioenergetics, with focus on the functional characterisation of the dimer-specific subunit g in the insect stage of the parasite, and (iv) role of subunit OSCP in the structural and functional integrity of the FoF1-ATPase in trypanosomes lacking mitochondrial DNA (akinetoplastic).

Keywords

Trypanosoma brucei, mitochondria, FoF1-ATP synthase/ATPase, bioenergetics.

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 20. 8. 2021

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: RNDr. Alena Zíková, Ph.D.

JIHOČESKÁ UNIVERZITA V ČESKÝCH BUDĚJOVICÍCH

Přírodovědecká fakulta

Doktorský studijní program / obor:
Molekulární a buněčná biologie / Molekulární a buněčná biologie a genetika