Insights into the mitochondrial genomes of Taenia tapeworms

The genus Taenia belongs to the class Cestoda and comprises a diverse group of species of medical, veterinary, and ecological importance. These tapeworms exhibit complex life cycles involving carnivorous definitive hosts and herbivorous or omnivorous intermediate hosts. Taenia solium, T. saginata, and T. asiatica are particularly important due to their impact on human health, notably through taeniasis and cysticercosis. Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have emerged as powerful tools for taxonomy, diagnostics, and evolutionary studies of these parasites. Complete mitogenome sequences are available for several Taenia species, revealing conserved structures and a compact genome, including 12 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs, along with species-specific variations in initiation and termination codons. Beyond taxonomy, mitochondrial targets offer a promising avenue for antiparasitic drug development, especially genes related to oxidative phosphorylation and ATP synthesis.