Dynamic ergosterol- and ceramide-rich domains in the peroxisomal membrane serve as an organizing platform for peroxisome fusion

J Cell Biol. 2005 Feb 28;168(5):761-73. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200409045.

Abstract

We describe unusual ergosterol- and ceramide-rich (ECR) domains in the membrane of yeast peroxisomes. Several key features of these detergent-resistant domains, including the nature of their sphingolipid constituent and its unusual distribution across the membrane bilayer, clearly distinguish them from well characterized detergent-insoluble lipid rafts in the plasma membrane. A distinct set of peroxisomal proteins, including two ATPases, Pex1p and Pex6p, as well as phosphoinositide- and GTP-binding proteins, transiently associates with the cytosolic face of ECR domains. All of these proteins are essential for the fusion of the immature peroxisomal vesicles P1 and P2, the earliest intermediates in a multistep pathway leading to the formation of mature, metabolically active peroxisomes. Peroxisome fusion depends on the lateral movement of Pex1p, Pex6p, and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-binding proteins from ECR domains to a detergent-soluble portion of the membrane, followed by their release to the cytosol. Our data suggest a model for the multistep reorganization of the multicomponent peroxisome fusion machinery that transiently associates with ECR domains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Ceramides / metabolism*
  • Detergents / pharmacology
  • Ergosterol / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Fusion / drug effects
  • Membrane Fusion / physiology*
  • Peroxisomes / drug effects
  • Peroxisomes / metabolism*
  • Sphingolipids / metabolism
  • Yarrowia / metabolism

Substances

  • Ceramides
  • Detergents
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Sphingolipids
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities
  • PEX6 protein, Yarrowia lipolytica
  • Ergosterol