The ferredoxin redox system – an essential electron distributing hub in the apicoplast of Apicomplexa

Ojo Ajogu Akuh, Rubayet Elahi, Sean T. Prigge*, Frank Seeber

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The apicoplast, a relict plastid found in most species of the phylum Apicomplexa, harbors the ferredoxin redox system which supplies electrons to enzymes of various metabolic pathways in this organelle. Recent reports in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum have shown that the iron-sulfur cluster (FeS)-containing ferredoxin is essential in tachyzoite and blood-stage parasites, respectively. Here we review ferredoxin's crucial contribution to isoprenoid and lipoate biosynthesis as well as tRNA modification in the apicoplast, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species. We also discuss ferredoxin's potential role in the initial reductive steps required for FeS synthesis as well as recent evidence that offers an explanation for how NADPH required by the redox system might be generated in Plasmodium spp.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)868-881
Number of pages14
JournalTrends in Parasitology
Volume38
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022
Externally publishedYes

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