Abstract
Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) is a unique DNA network found in the single mitochondrion of trypanosomatids. It consists of several thousand duplex DNA minicircles and a few dozen DNA maxicircles, which are interlocked in a giant topological catenane. Replication of kDNA includes the duplication of free minicircles and catenated maxicircles, followed by the splitting and segregation of the progeny networks upon cell division. The remarkable machinery that carries out the replication process of this unusual mitochondrial genome is described here. Recent advances in the identification and characterization of replication proteins and in the regulation of kDNA replication, as well as the re-evaluation of the potential use of kDNA replication proteins as targets for the development of anti-trypanosomal drugs are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Trypanosomatid Diseases |
Subtitle of host publication | Molecular Routes to Drug Discovery |
Publisher | Wiley-VCH |
Pages | 243-260 |
Number of pages | 18 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783527332557 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 4 Apr 2013 |
Keywords
- Anti-trypanosomal drugs
- KDNA replication
- KDNA replication proteins
- Kinetoplast
- Trypanosomatids