# BIOCHEMICAL CYTOLOGY OF ANAEROBIC PARASITIC PROTISTS

> **NIH NIH R01** · ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY · 1992 · $256,305

## Abstract

The project represents a continued study of the biochemical cytology of
Trichomonas vaginalis, a sexually transmitted common parasite that causes
vaginitis and urethritis in humans.  Based on recent results the scope of
the project is extended to include several other protists parasitic in
humans (and also livestock): other trichomonad species, Giardia lamblia,
Entamoeba histolytica, rumen ciliates and a rumen fungus.  These organisms
all share a number of basic metabolic properties of which three need to be
stressed: they have a fundamentally 02 independent energy metabolism, lack
mitochondria and possess a pyruvate decarboxylating enzyme,
pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase that is fundamentally different from the
corresponding mitochondrial enzyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.
Trichomonads and the rumen protists, but not G. lamblia or E. histolytica,
contain hydrogenosomes, organelles of pyruvate oxidation leading to
hydrogen formation.  The project aims at furthering our understanding of
the nature and evolutionary origin of the anaerobic mode of life in the
organisms studied.  Special attention is devoted to the hydrogenosome and
its biological affinities.  Work in the next project period will focus on
the establishment of the primary structure of a set of characteristic
enzymes of anaerobic metabolism of the organisms in question.  Work on T.
vaginalis enzymes is primarily based on partial (amino-terminal and
internal) sequencing of purified proteins, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
mediated amplification of cDNA followed by sequencing with the use of
oligonucleotide probes designed from the amino acid sequences.  The same
approach will also be used for those other organisms that are easily
cultured.  Organisms not amenable to cultivation will be studied by
developing degenerate oligonucleotide probes for PCR based on sequences
conserved over a large phylogenetic span in isofunctional enzymes.
Sequences obtained will be compared with data on the other protists studied
and with sequences in the databases.  Degrees of similarities will be used
to establish evolutionary relationships of the enzymes studied and these
relationships will be correlated with information of the evolutionary
relationships of the organisms studied.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125057
- **Project number:** 2R01AI011942-17A1
- **Recipient organization:** ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LHGDNJMZ64Y1
- **Principal Investigator:** MIKLOS MULLER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $256,305
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1978-07-01 → 1995-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125057

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125057, BIOCHEMICAL CYTOLOGY OF ANAEROBIC PARASITIC PROTISTS (2R01AI011942-17A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125057. Licensed CC0.

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