Trypanosomes show an intriguing organization of their mitochondrial DNA into a catenated network, the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). While more than 30 proteins involved in kDNA replication have been described, only few components of kDNA segregation machinery are currently known. Electron microscopy studies identified a high-order structure, the tripartite attachment complex (TAC), linking the basal body of the flagellum via the mitochondrial membranes to the kDNA. Here we describe TAC102, a novel core component of the TAC, which is essential for proper kDNA segregation during cell division. Loss of TAC102 leads to mitochondrial genome missegregation but has no impact on proper organelle biogenesis and segregation. The protein is present throughout the cell cycle and is assembled into the newly developing TAC only after the pro-basal body has matured indicating a hierarchy in the assembly process. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the TAC is replicated de novo rather than using a semi-conservative mechanism. Lastly, we demonstrate that TAC102 lacks an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence and requires sequences in the C-terminal part of the protein for its proper localization.

SignificanceMitochondrial genome replication and segregation are essential processes in most eukaryotic cells. While replication has been studied in some detail, much less is known about the molecular machinery required to distribute the replicated genomes. Using superresolution microscopy in combination with molecular biology and biochemistry, we show in which order the segregation machinery is assembled and that it is likely assembled de novo rather than in a semiconservative fashion in the single-celled parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the mitochondrial genome itself is not required for assembly to occur. It seems that the physical connection of the mitochondrial genome to cytoskeletal elements is a conserved feature in most eukaryotes; however, the molecular components are highly diverse.

Mitochondrial organelles need to be replicated during cell division. Many aspects of this process have been studied in great detail, however the actual size increase and the position of organelle growth are less well understood. We use the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei that contains a single mitochondrion to study organelle biogenesis by fluorescence microscopy. From the analysis of more than 1000 T. brucei bloodstream form cells of a nonsynchronous population we conclude that the mitochondrial network mostly grows from two areas along the main organelle axis, posterior and anterior of the nucleus. Loops and branches from these two areas eventually fuse to build a complex network. Together with the appearance of the division fold in the posterior part of the cell, pruning of the mitochondrial network and finally separation into the two daughter cells occurs. Overall organelle biogenesis is not continuous during cell growth and occurs mostly in the last part of the cell cycle. Furthermore, using 3D STED super resolution microscopy we reconstruct the volume of the organelle and characterize the region where the mitochondrial genome is positioned by serial block face scanning electron microscopy.

The unicellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei harbors one mitochondrial organelle with a singular genome called the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). The kDNA consists of a network of concatenated minicircles and a few maxicircles that form the kDNA disc. More than 30 proteins involved in kDNA replication have been described. However, several mechanistic questions are only poorly understood. Here, we describe and characterize minicircle replication factor 172 (MiRF172), a novel mitochondrial genome replication factor that is essential for cell growth and kDNA maintenance. By performing super-resolution microscopy, we show that MiRF172 is localized to the kDNA disc, facing the region between the genome and the mitochondrial membranes. We demonstrate that depletion of MiRF172 leads to a loss of minicircles and maxicircles. Detailed analysis suggests that MiRF172 is involved in the reattachment of replicated minicircles to the kDNA disc. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the localization of the replication factor MiRF172 not only depends on the kDNA itself, but also on the mitochondrial genome segregation machinery, suggesting an interaction between the two essential entities..

25All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.(which was not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. 35Detailed analysis suggests that MiRF172 is likely involved in the reattachment of replicated minicircles 36 to the kDNA disc. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the localization of the replication factor 37MiRF172 not only depends on the kDNA itself, but also on the mitochondrial genome segregation 38 machinery suggesting a tight interaction between the two essential entities.