Mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit (30S) (30S subunit)

The 30S ribosomal subunit in Leishmania refers to the small subunit (SSU) of the parasite's mitochondrial ribosome, which is essential for translating proteins encoded by the kinetoplast DNA (Source 1.2.1). In Leishmania species like L. tarentolae, the mitochondrial ribosome is a 50S particle composed of a 30S small subunit and a 40S large subunit (Source 1.2.2). This subunit is a primary target for the aminoglycoside antibiotic paromomycin, which is used to treat both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis (Source 1.3.2, 1.4.1). Paromomycin binds to the decoding A-site of the ribosomal RNA, inducing misreading of mRNA and inhibiting the translocation of the peptide chain (Source 1.3.5, 1.4.3). This disruption of protein synthesis leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, including the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory failure, ultimately resulting in parasite death (Source 1.3.2, 1.4.2). While paromomycin also interacts with the cytosolic 40S ribosomal subunit, its effect on the mitochondrial 30S subunit is a significant factor in its therapeutic efficacy (Source 1.3.5, 1.4.5). The unique structural features of the leishmanial mitoribosome compared to human mitochondrial ribosomes provide a basis for the selective toxicity of these drugs (Source 1.3.1, 1.5.3).

Other names

30S mitoribosomal subunitMitochondrial SSU9S rRNA-containing subunitKinetoplastid 30S subunit

Inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the ribosomal A-site, inducing mRNA misreading and preventing peptide chain translocation.