Complexome profiling of mitochondria in the myzozoan parasite of oysters, Perkinsus marinus.

Divergent mitochondrial complexes are an ancestral and conserved feature across Myzozoa, as shown by profiling Perkinsus marinus, revealing shared components with apicomplexans.

• Why it matters: Understanding mitochondrial diversity across unicellular eukaryotes is crucial for insights into their evolution and survival mechanisms, especially in parasitic lineages like apicomplexans.
• What they did: Using complexome profiling, the study characterized mitochondrial complexes in Perkinsus marinus, identifying new components of ATP synthase and the electron transport chain, and features of the mitoribosome.
• The result: Findings suggest that the unique, divergent mitochondrial complex composition is an ancient trait conserved in Myzozoa, providing insights into mitochondrial evolution and potential targets for controlling parasitic diseases.