Rubrerythrin and peroxiredoxin: Two novel putative peroxidases in the hydrogenosomes of the microaerophilic protozoon Trichomonas vaginalis

The parasitic flagellate Trichomonas vaginalis contains hydrogenosomes, anaerobic organelles related to mitochondria, that generate ATP from the fermentative conversion of pyruvate to acetate, CO2 and molecular hydrogen. Although an essentially anaerobic organism, Trichomonas encounters low oxygen concentrations in its natural habitat and has to protect itself, and especially the oxygen-sensitve enzymes of hydrogenosomal metabolism, from oxidative damage. We have identified two novel proteins in the hydrogenosomal proteome with strong similarity to two putative prokaryotic peroxidases, rubrerythrin and periplasmic thiol peroxidase. Both proteins have previously been found in many prokaryotes but were not known from eukaryotes, suggesting a significant prokaryotic component in the oxygen-detoxification system of trichomonad hydrogenosomes.