Mitochondrial DNA of Normal and Mutant Trypanosomes

This project will elucidate critical processes that precisely edit mt-mRNAs in Trypanosoma brucei and its regulation and differential editing between life cycle stages. It examines the editosome endonuclease subcomplex which discriminates among thousands of editing sites (ESs), initiates editing and is a likely point of regulation. It uses novel cell lines and methods to examine three editosome endonucleases and their associated proteins and the roles of their domains, interactions and posttranslational protein modifications. Overall, the project will expand the understanding of a process that is essential for the parasite and may provide drug targets.