PUF3 RNA binding protein of Trypanosoma cruzi regulates mitochondrial morphology and function

The RNA-binding PUF proteins are post-transcriptional regulators found throughout the eukaryotic domain. In Trypanosoma cruzi, ten Puf genes termed Puf1 to Puf10 have been identified. Considering that the control of gene expression in this parasite is mainly at the posttranscriptional level, we characterized the PUF3 protein by knocking out and overexpressing the gene in T. cruzi epimastigotes and studied different genetic and biological features.