Hydrogenosomes in the Anaerobic Fungi: Hydrogen-Producing Organelles

Fungi form a very diverse group in eukaryotes. Most of the fungi contain mitochondria and capable of oxidative phosphorylation. On the other hand, anaerobic Neocallimastigomycota fungi are in the gastrointestinal tract of many herbivorous mammals, they contain an organelle known as hydrogenosome instead of mitochondria. These organelles capable of being the key to adaptation to an anaerobic environment that is is unique. In this review, we wish to briefly summarize what is known about function, structure, biochemistry, genetics properties and inheritance of these important organelles.