Nucleolar organization and divergent transcriptional machinery in Giardia lamblia: Structural insights and implications for drug targeting

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite responsible for Giardiasis, one of the most prevalent intestinal infections worldwide. Despite its medical relevance, the molecular organization of its transcriptional apparatus remains poorly characterized. Here, I present an integrative analysis of the structural and functional features of the Giardia nucleolus and its transcription machinery. Treatment with actinomycin D induces nucleolar disorganization, confirming active rRNA transcription and nucleolar stress. Additionally, I highlight the highly divergent TATA-binding protein as a potential therapeutic target, given its essential role in transcription and its low mutation rate. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the minimalist eukaryotic architecture of G. lamblia and identify unique molecular elements that may serve as selective antiparasitic targets.