ANAEROBIC EUKARYOTE EVOLUTION - HYDROGENOSOMES AS BIOCHEMICALLY MODIFIED MITOCHONDRIA

Hydrogenosomes are energy generating organelles which are found in a v ariety of anaerobic microbial eukaryotes. Recent data suggest that som e of these hydrogenosomes may be biochemically modified mitochondria, subverting the conventional role of this compartment from one of oxida tive phosphorylation, to one of hydrogen-evolving fermentation. The or igins of the key enzymes which are responsible for hydrogen production are currently obscure but they are not considered to be typical of mo st eukaryotes.