Pex3 peroxisome biogenesis proteins function in peroxisome inheritance as class V myosin receptors

J Cell Biol. 2009 Oct 19;187(2):233-46. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200902117. Epub 2009 Oct 12.

Abstract

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, peroxisomal inheritance from mother cell to bud is conducted by the class V myosin motor, Myo2p. However, homologues of S. cerevisiae Myo2p peroxisomal receptor, Inp2p, are not readily identifiable outside the Saccharomycetaceae family. Here, we demonstrate an unexpected role for Pex3 proteins in peroxisome inheritance. Both Pex3p and Pex3Bp are peroxisomal integral membrane proteins that function as peroxisomal receptors for class V myosin through direct interaction with the myosin globular tail. In cells lacking Pex3Bp, peroxisomes are preferentially retained by the mother cell, whereas most peroxisomes gather and are transferred en masse to the bud in cells overexpressing Pex3Bp or Pex3p. Our results reveal an unprecedented role for members of the Pex3 protein family in peroxisome motility and inheritance in addition to their well-established role in peroxisome biogenesis at the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results point to a temporal link between peroxisome formation and inheritance and delineate a general mechanism of peroxisome inheritance in eukaryotic cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Myosin Type V / metabolism*
  • Peroxisomes / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Yarrowia / chemistry
  • Yarrowia / genetics
  • Yarrowia / metabolism*
  • Yarrowia / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Myosin Type V