Poster Presenter

Study of Mitochondrial Systems for Effective Control of Parasites
R.Kaleysa Raj

Parasites are broadly divided into helminthes and Protozoa. Mitochondrial systems have been shown to be present in both classes. Parasites are generally considered to originate from nonparasitic ancestors, but some how got trapped in the host during the evolutionary process. Regarding energy metabolism, parasites adapt to the host environment under a low oxygen tension in the immediate neighbourhood of the parsite. Not only multicellular parasites like nematodes, but even unicellular parasites such as malaria and Entamoeba histolytica have mitochondrial systems which show distinct differences form that of the host. Filarial parasites which are classed as lymphatic nematodes for example, behave like facultative anaerobes. The oxygen uptake of the filarial parasite is cyanide insensitive, the end product of the metabolism of oxygen is H2O2 and in addition many metabolic pathways in these parasites are altered. These differences offer many possibilities for interruptions of the development and survival of parasites in the host. In addition to contributing energy for the many functions of the parasites, certain mitochondrial components such as ubiquinone have antioxidant function, further favoring the survival of parasites in the hostile environment of the host. Such unique differences found in parasite mitochondriae serve as targets for chemotherapy.