Differences in energy metabolism between trypanosomatidae

Although various members of the family Trypanosomatidae generate energy in a similar way, fundamental differences also exist and are not always recognized. In this review, Louis Tielens and Jaap Van Hellemond discuss the known differences in carbohydrate metabolism among trypanosomatids, and especially compare Leishmania with trypanosomatids such as Trypanosoma brucei and Phytomonas spp. Special attention will be paid to differences in end-products of carbohydrate degradation, to differences in anaerobic capacities between the various trypanosomatids and to the components of their respiratory chains, including the presence or absence of a plant-like alternative oxidase. Furthermore, evidence will be discussed which indicates that the succinate produced by trypanosomatids is formed mainly via an oxidative pathway and not via reduction of fumarate, a process known to occur in parasitic helminths.