A PEX5 missense allele preferentially disrupts PTS1 cargo import into Arabidopsis peroxisomes.

Khushali J Patel,Bonnie Bartel,Yun‐Ting Kao,Roxanna J Llinas

doi:10.1002/pld3.128

Abstract

The sorting of eukaryotic proteins to various organellar destinations requires receptors that recognize cargo protein targeting signals and facilitate transport into the organelle. One such receptor is the peroxin PEX5, which recruits cytosolic cargo carrying a peroxisome‐targeting signal (PTS) type 1 (PTS1) for delivery into the peroxisomal lumen (matrix). In plants and mammals, PEX5 is also indirectly required for peroxisomal import of proteins carrying a PTS2 signal because PEX5 binds the PTS2 receptor, bringing the associated PTS2 cargo to the peroxisome along with PTS1 cargo. Despite PEX5 being the PTS1 cargo receptor, previously identified Arabidopsis pex5 mutants display either impairment of both PTS1 and PTS2 import or defects only in PTS2 import. Here, we report the first Arabidopsis pex5 mutant with an exclusive PTS1 import defect. In addition to markedly diminished GFP‐PTS1 import and decreased pex5‐2 protein accumulation, this pex5‐2 mutant shows typical peroxisome‐related defects, including inefficient β‐oxidation and reduced growth. Growth at reduced or elevated temperatures ameliorated or exacerbated pex5‐2 peroxisome‐related defects, respectively, without markedly changing pex5‐2 protein levels. In contrast to the diminished PTS1 import, PTS2 processing was only slightly impaired and PTS2‐GFP import appeared normal in pex5‐2. This finding suggests that even minor peroxisomal localization of the PTS1 protein DEG15, the PTS2‐processing protease, is sufficient to maintain robust PTS2 processing.

Highlights

Peroxisomes are organelles that are essential for many processes including metabolism, development, and environmental responses
After cargo delivery in yeast, PEX5 in the peroxisomal membrane is ubiquitinated and targeted for recycling or degradation by the peroxisome-tethered ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (Ubc) PEX4 and the RING–finger ubiquitin–protein ligase complex consisting of PEX2, PEX10, and PEX12
PEX5 that is monoubiquitinated by PEX12 and PEX4 is recycled from the peroxisomal membrane by the peroxisome-tethered PEX1–PEX6 ATPase complex for additional import rounds (Pedrosa et al, 2018; Platta, Grunau, Rosenkranz, Girzalsky, & Erdmann, 2005)

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Peroxisomes are organelles that are essential for many processes including metabolism, development, and environmental responses (reviewed in Reumann & Bartel, 2016; Kao, Gonzalez, & Bartel, 2018). PEX5 and PEX7 are receptors that recognize matrix proteins carrying either a C-terminal peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) type 1 (PTS1) or an N- terminal PTS2, respectively (reviewed in Kao et al, 2018). Core peroxins that facilitate matrix protein import are conserved in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana (reviewed in Kao et al, 2018; Woodward & Bartel, 2018). The pex mutant, like pex RNAi lines (Hayashi et al, 2005), has defects in both PTS1 and PTS2 import (Khan & Zolman, 2010; Lingard & Bartel, 2009). Arabidopsis pex mutants and RNAi lines display defects in PTS2 import (Hayashi et al, 2005; Ramón & Bartel, 2010; Woodward & Bartel, 2005a). The distinct and overlapping defects of the Arabidopsis pex, pex, and pex mutants will allow continued elucidation of the relationships between PTS1 and PTS2 import in plants

| MATERIALS AND METHODS

| DISCUSSION

Findings

| CONCLUSIONS