The kDNA Network and Its Monomeric Components

One of the most extensively studied kDNA netwoiks is that of the spedes Orithidiajmciculata. The kDNA network (approximately 10 by 15 pm in dimensions ) is condensed in the mitochondrial matrix into a disk-like structure of about 1 by 0.35 pm. Several histone-like proteins are involved in the structural oiganization of the condensed network. The kinetoplast 

The C fiscicuIata)sD h networitconsists of-5,000 minicircles of 2.5 kb and -25 maxicircles of 37 kb. Minidrcles in the network are relaxed and singly interlocked to each other forming a two dimensional DNA network. Maxicircles form independent topological catenanes, that are threaded into the minicircles network and are embedded in different panems within kDNA networks in the wious trypanosomatid species, to form network within a network .  

Maxicircles, the trypanosomal equivalent of mitochondrial genomes in other eukaryotic cells, are approximately idendcal in size within a given species, but vary in size (19-39 kb) in different ttypanosomatids. They consist of a conserved coding r on and a nonttanscribed 

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