Catalog of mitochondria across life’s family tree unearths new roles for the cell’s powerhouse

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"Highlights

• Researchers have built a catalog of mitochondrial proteins found in six eukaryotic organisms — five parasites and one plant — that, along with existing inventories of human and yeast mitochondria, provides a new look at the functions and evolution of this essential organelle. 
• The work provides insights into Giardia’s vanishingly small mitoproteome and the surprising capabilities of Acanthamoeba mitochondria, and supports the idea that the organelle originated relatively late in eukaryotic evolution.
• The results also highlight mitochondrial proteins shared by multiple pathogens that are absent in humans, suggesting new therapeutic targets for neglected tropical diseases.

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Catalog of mitochondria across life’s family tree unearths new roles for the cell’s powerhouse | Broad Institute "Survey of mitochondrial proteomes across eukaryotic taxa reveals clues to the organelle’s origins and functions, and suggests possible new opportunities for treating parasitic infections."