Hydrogenosome

Abb.1: Model of ATP-synthesis in hydrogenosomes.^[1]
abb.: CoA = Coenzyme A

A hydrogenosome is a membrane-enclosed organelle of some anaerobic ciliates, trichomonads, fungi and a few metazoa. The hydrogenosomes of trichomonads (the best studied) produce ATP by a complex metabolic cycle. Unlike mitochondria, this cycle does not use oxygen. It is thought that hydrogenosomes evolved from mitochondria; their structure is rather similar.

In 2010, scientists reported their discovery of the first known anaerobic metazoans with hydrogenosome-like organelles.^[2] These organisms were Loricifera living in sediments under deep-water brine pools like the L'Atalante basin. These brine pools are completely without any oxygen (anoxic).

Hydrogenosome Media

Activity in a Spironucleus salmonicida hydrogenosome: pyruvate (PYR) is turned into carbon dioxide (CO2) and acetate while producing molecular hydrogen (H2) and converting ADP into ATP

References

↑ Müller M, Lindmark DG. Respiration of hydrogenosomes of Tritrichomonas foetus. II. Effect of CoA on pyruvate oxidation. J. Biol. Chem. 253 (4) (February 1978). p. 1215–8. doi:10.1016/S0021-9258(17)38132-2.^{[dead link]}
↑ Danovaro R. The first metazoa living in permanently anoxic conditions. BMC Biol 8 (1) (April 2010). p. 30. doi:10.1186/1741-7007-8-30.

[1] Müller M, Lindmark DG. Respiration of hydrogenosomes of Tritrichomonas foetus. II. Effect of CoA on pyruvate oxidation. J. Biol. Chem. 253 (4) (February 1978). p. 1215–8. doi:10.1016/S0021-9258(17)38132-2.^{[dead link]}

[pmid20370908-2] Danovaro R. The first metazoa living in permanently anoxic conditions. BMC Biol 8 (1) (April 2010). p. 30. doi:10.1186/1741-7007-8-30.

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