Degradation of plant peroxisomes by autophagy.

Han Nim Lee,Jimi Kim,Taijoon Chung

doi:10.3389/fpls.2014.00139

Abstract

Peroxisomes play a critical role in many metabolic pathways during the plant life cycle. It has been proposed that the transition between different types of peroxisomes involves the degradation of obsolete peroxisomal enzymes via proteolytic activities in the peroxisome matrix, the cytosol, or the vacuole. Forward and reverse genetic studies recently provided evidence for autophagic degradation of peroxisomes in the vacuole of Arabidopsis seedlings. Here, we briefly review a model of pexophagy, or selective autophagy of peroxisomes, in plant cells.

Highlights

Peroxisomes play a critical role in many metabolic pathways during the plant life cycle
In addition to the enzymes needed for these pathways, peroxisomes contain antioxidant enzymes, for example, catalase, to protect plants from oxidative damage, since hydrogen peroxide is generated from fatty acid βoxidation and photorespiration and other oxidation reactions in the peroxisome
When the seedlings are exposed to light, peroxisomal glyoxylate cycle enzymes, such as isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (MLS), are rapidly degraded and enzymes involved in photorespiration accumulate

Summary

Introduction

Peroxisomes play a critical role in many metabolic pathways during the plant life cycle. PLANT PEROXISOMES: TYPES, TRANSITION, AND PROTEIN DEGRADATION Plant peroxisomes are versatile organelles that participate in many metabolic pathways such as fatty acid β-oxidation and photorespiration (reviewed by Hu et al, 2012). When seedling peroxisomes are transformed to leaf peroxisomes, obsolete ICL and MLS must be degraded.

Results

Conclusion