An enigmatic catalase of Blastocrithidia

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2019 Sep:232:111199. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111199. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Abstract

Here we report that trypanosomatid flagellates of the genus Blastocrithidia possess catalase. This enzyme is not phylogenetically related to the previously characterized catalases in other monoxenous trypanosomatids, suggesting that their genes have been acquired independently. Surprisingly, Blastocrithidia catalase is less enzymatically active, compared to its counterpart from Leptomonas pyrrhocoris, posing an intriguing biological question why this gene has been retained in the evolution of trypanosomatids.

Keywords: Catalase; Oxygen peroxide; Trypanosomatidae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Catalase / chemistry
  • Catalase / genetics
  • Catalase / metabolism*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Phylogeny
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Trypanosomatina / classification
  • Trypanosomatina / enzymology*
  • Trypanosomatina / genetics
  • Trypanosomatina / metabolism

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Catalase