An intensely staining rod-, disc-, or spherical-shaped extranuclear DNA structure found in parasitic flagellates (family Trypanosomatidae) near the base of the flagellum, posterior to the blepharoplast, and often at right angles to the nucleus. Electron micrographs show it to be part of a single giant mitochondrion filling most of the cytoplasm of amastigote flagellates, the k. portion being visible by light microscopy. DNA of the k. is termed kDNA to distinguish it from nuclear DNA, or nDNA. The k. divides independently, along with the basal body, prior to nuclear division. The term k. formerly included parabasal body and blepharoplast in a locomotory apparatus, but is now recognized as a distinct organelle of most trypanosomatids. SEE ALSO: parabasal body. [kineto- + G. plastos, formed]
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ki·neto·plast kə-'net-ə-.plast, kī- n an extranuclear DNA-containing organelle of kinetoplastid protozoans that is usu. found in an elongated mitochondrion located adjacent to the basal body
ki·neto·plas·tic -.net-ə-'plas-tik adj
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ki·ne·to·plast (kĭ-neґto-plast) [kineto- + -plast] a large rod-shaped or cylindrical, DNA-rich, independently replicating cytoplasmic organelle located in close association with the basal body (with which it may seem to be fused) and found within the elongated mitochondrion of protozoa of the order Kinetoplastida. Called also kinetonucleus.Medical dictionary. 2011.