Cell death in protists without mitochondria

Some protozoans, such as Trichomonad species, do not possess mitochondria. Most of the time, they harbor another type of membrane-bounded organelle, called hydrogenosome from its capacity to produce H2. This is the case for the human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Some other parasites, such as the protist Giardia lamblia, do not harbor any of these organelles. From this observation arises naturally a naive question: How do cells die when the mitochondrion, the cornerstone of apoptotic process, is absent? Data strongly suggest that the mitochondrion and the hydrogenosome arose from a common ancestral endosymbiont. But hydrogenosomes do not appear to directly substitute for mitochondria in apoptotic functions. Thus, it appears judicious to examine more closely the genome of unicellular cells, which do not harbor mitochondria, and search for new molecules that could participate in the apoptotic process in these microorganisms

Spectrum of mutations in the gene encoding the adrenoleukodystrophy protein.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) has been associated with mutations in a gene encoding an ATP-binding transporter, which is located in the peroxisomal membrane. Deficiency of the gene leads to impaired peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Systematic analysis of the open reading frame of the ALD gene, using reverse transcriptase-PCR, followed by direct sequencing, revealed mutations in all 28 unrelated kindreds analyzed. No entire gene deletions or drastic promoter mutations were detected. In only one kindred did the mutation involve multiple exons. The other mutations were small alterations leading to missense (13 of 28) or nonsense mutations, a single amino acid deletion, frameshifts, or splice acceptor-site defects. Mutations affecting a single amino acid were concentrated in the region between the third and fourth putative transmembrane domains and in the ATP-binding domain. Mutations were detected in all investigated ALD kindreds, suggesting that this gene is the only gene responsible for X-linked ALD. This overview of mutations is useful in the determination of structurally and functionally important regions and provides an efficient screening strategy for identification of mutations in the ALD gene

Identification of a two base pair deletion in five unrelated families with adrenoleukodystrophy: a possible hot spot for mutations

The gene for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) was recently identified. Intragenic deletions of several kilobases were found in about 7% of patients. Point mutations, expected to be very heterogeneous, were identified so far in only two patients. We report the identification of a two base pair deletion at position 1801-1802 of the ALD cDNA, located within the fifth exon of the ALD gene, which precedes the two consensus motives for ATP-binding. This microdeletion was found in five out of 40 unrelated ALD kindreds, indicating that this position is a hot spot for mutations. The mutation was observed both in patients with childhood cerebral ALD (CCALD) and in patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN