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Immunocytochemical localization of the 70 kDa peroxisomal membrane protein in connections between peroxisomes in rat liver: support for a reticular organization of peroxisomes maintained by the cytoskeleton.

Recently it has been shown that peroxisomes interact with microtubules which affect the structure and intracellular distribution of the organelle (Schrader, M., J. K. Burkhardt, E. Baumgart, G. Lüers, H. Spring, A. Völkl, H. D. Fahimi: Interaction of microtubules with peroxisomes. Tubular and spherical peroxisomes in HepG2 cells and their alterations induced by microtubule-active drugs. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 69, 24-35 (1996)). In the present work, we have applied immunological techniques to study the organization of peroxisomes within the rat liver cell. Antibodies to a pentadecapeptide corresponding to amino acid residues 403-417 of the 70 kDa integral peroxisomal membrane protein (Kamijo, K., S. Taketani, S. Yokota, T. Osumi, T. Hashimoto: The 70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein is a member of the Mdr (P-glycoprotein)-related ATP-binding protein super family. J. Biol. Chem. 265, 4534-4540 (1990)) were raised in rabbits and affinity purified. This antibody was found to be highly specific for peroxisomes as determined by ELISA and Western blot analysis. Immunoelectron microscopy of tissue sections from rat liver revealed that peroxisomal membranes were labeled with this antibody and, in addition, labeling was found on tubular extensions often connecting peroxisomes. Antibodies to alpha-tubulin were used to locate the microtubular system. Microtubules were often found in close connection to peroxisomes, suggesting interaction between peroxisomes and the cytoskeleton. Double-labeling experiments for the 70 kDa integral peroxisomal membrane protein and alpha-tubulin demonstrated that the tubular structures connecting peroxisomes did not colocalize with microtubules. These results suggest that peroxisomes are organized in reticular structures within rat liver cells and that the structure and localization of these reticuli may be determined by their association to the microtubular network.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Biogenesis of peroxisomes: immunocytochemical investigation of peroxisomal membrane proteins in proliferating rat liver peroxisomes and in catalase-negative membrane loops.

Treatment of rats with a new hypocholesterolemic drug BM 15766 induces proliferation of peroxisomes in pericentral regions of the liver lobule with distinct alterations of the peroxisomal membrane (Baumgart, E., K. Stegmeier, F. H. Schmidt, and H. D. Fahimi. 1987. Lab. Invest. 56:554-564). We have used ultrastructural cytochemistry in conjunction with immunoblotting and immunoelectron microscopy to investigate the effects of this drug on peroxisomal membranes. Highly purified peroxisomal fractions were obtained by Metrizamide gradient centrifugation from control and treated rats. Immunoblots prepared from such peroxisomal fractions incubated with antibodies to 22-, 26-, and 70-kD peroxisomal membrane proteins revealed that the treatment with BM 15766 induced only the 70-kD protein. In sections of normal liver embedded in Lowicryl K4M, all three membrane proteins of peroxisomes could be localized by the postembedding technique. The strongest labeling was obtained with the 22-kD antibody followed by the 70-kD and 26-kD antibodies. In treated animals, double-membraned loops with negative catalase reaction in their lumen, resembling smooth endoplasmic reticulum segments as well as myelin-like figures, were noted in the proximity of some peroxisomes. Serial sectioning revealed that the loops seen at some distance from peroxisomes in the cytoplasm were always continuous with the peroxisomal membranes. The double-membraned loops were consistently negative for glucose-6-phosphatase, a marker for endoplasmic reticulum, but were distinctly labeled with antibodies to peroxisomal membrane proteins. Our observations indicate that these membranous structures are part of the peroxisomal membrane system. They could provide a membrane reservoir for the proliferation of peroxisomes and the expansion of this intracellular compartment.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation in mice nullizygous for both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA oxidase. Genotype correlation with fatty liver phenotype.

Fatty acid beta-oxidation occurs in both mitochondria and peroxisomes. Long chain fatty acids are also metabolized by the cytochrome P450 CYP4A omega-oxidation enzymes to toxic dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) that serve as substrates for peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Synthetic peroxisome proliferators interact with peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) to transcriptionally activate genes that participate in peroxisomal, microsomal, and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Mice lacking PPARalpha (PPARalpha-/-) fail to respond to the inductive effects of peroxisome proliferators, whereas those lacking fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX-/-), the first enzyme of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation system, exhibit extensive microvesicular steatohepatitis, leading to hepatocellular regeneration and massive peroxisome proliferation, implying sustained activation of PPARalpha by natural ligands. We now report that mice nullizygous for both PPARalpha and AOX (PPARalpha-/- AOX-/-) failed to exhibit spontaneous peroxisome proliferation and induction of PPARalpha-regulated genes by biological ligands unmetabolized in the absence of AOX. In AOX-/- mice, the hyperactivity of PPARalpha enhances the severity of steatosis by inducing CYP4A family proteins that generate DCAs and since they are not metabolized in the absence of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, they damage mitochondria leading to steatosis. Blunting of microvesicular steatosis, which is restricted to few liver cells in periportal regions in PPARalpha-/- AOX-/- mice, suggests a role for PPARalpha-induced genes, especially members of CYP4A family, in determining the severity of steatosis in livers with defective peroxisomal beta-oxidation. In age-matched PPARalpha-/- mice, a decrease in constitutive mitochondrial beta-oxidation with intact constitutive peroxisomal beta-oxidation system contributes to large droplet fatty change that is restricted to centrilobular hepatocytes. These data define a critical role for both PPARalpha and AOX in hepatic lipid metabolism and in the pathogenesis of specific fatty liver phenotype.

Acyl-CoA Oxidase↗

Import of microinjected proteins bearing the SKL peroxisomal targeting sequence into the peroxisomes of a human fibroblast cell line: evidence that virtually all peroxisomes are import-competent.

Peroxisomes import virtually all of their membrane and matrix proteins post-translationally. It is presently unknown whether, in mammalian cells, their exists a pool of mature peroxisomes which have received their complement of proteins and are import-incompetent. Previous work has shown that fibroblasts are capable of importing microinjected peroxisomal proteins into peroxisomes. This report describes the import of a hybrid peroxisomal protein into virtually all peroxisomes of the microinjected cell. The peroxisomal import was uniform in both short and long incubations. Pretreatment of the cells with cycloheximide did not affect the import of the peroxisomal protein, nor was there any difference in the distribution of the imported protein. Sequential microinjection experiments demonstrated that peroxisomes that had imported luciferase were capable of importing another peroxisomal protein injected 24 hours later. These results suggest that, in fibroblasts, all peroxisomes have associated protein-import machinery; this evidence does not support the hypothesis that there exists a pool of import-incompetent peroxisomes.

Cell Line↗

Morphometry of peroxisomes and immunolocalization of peroxisomal proteins in the liver of patients with generalised peroxisomal disorders.

Hepatic peroxisomes were studied by morphometric and immunocytochemical techniques in control patients and in four Zellweger syndrome patients, two infantile Refsum's (IRD) patients, one neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD) patient, and three patients with peroxisomal disorders (PD) which do not fit any currently recognised classification, but have disorders involving a defect in peroxisomal biogenesis. Peroxisomes which were ultrastructurally abnormal and greatly reduced in size and/or number were found in two of the Zellweger syndrome patients, and the NALD and IRD patients. There was variation in their numerical density ranging from none at all in two of the Zellweger syndrome patients to normal numbers in the IRD patients. In most patients there was a decrease in the immunolabelling of catalase over the peroxisomes. In the Zellweger syndrome and NALD patients, the small, abnormal peroxisomes did not label for any of the beta-oxidation proteins. The IRD patients and the PD patients however, were heterogeneous with respect to beta-oxidation labelling. The ultrastructural heterogeneity of peroxisomes in these peroxisomal disorders patients indicates there may be genotypic differences between the major groups and also within each group. The common factor in all the patients in this study where peroxisomes were present was the presence in the hepatic peroxisomes of an electron dense centre which did not label immunocytochemically for catalase or the beta-oxidation enzymes. This electron dense centre may indicate a structural abnormality in the peroxisomes in these patients.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗

PEX11alpha is required for peroxisome proliferation in response to 4-phenylbutyrate but is dispensable for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha-mediated peroxisome proliferation.

The PEX11 peroxisomal membrane proteins promote peroxisome division in multiple eukaryotes. As part of our effort to understand the molecular and physiological functions of PEX11 proteins, we disrupted the mouse PEX11alpha gene. Overexpression of PEX11alpha is sufficient to promote peroxisome division, and a class of chemicals known as peroxisome proliferating agents (PPAs) induce the expression of PEX11alpha and promote peroxisome division. These observations led to the hypothesis that PPAs induce peroxisome abundance by enhancing PEX11alpha expression. The phenotypes of PEX11alpha(-/-) mice indicate that this hypothesis remains valid for a novel class of PPAs that act independently of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) but is not valid for the classical PPAs that act as activators of PPARalpha. Furthermore, we find that PEX11alpha(-/-) mice have normal peroxisome abundance and that cells lacking both PEX11alpha and PEX11beta, a second mammalian PEX11 gene, have no greater defect in peroxisome abundance than do cells lacking only PEX11beta. Finally, we report the identification of a third mammalian PEX11 gene, PEX11gamma, and show that it too encodes a peroxisomal protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Yarrowia lipolytica gene PAY2 encodes a 42-kDa peroxisomal integral membrane protein essential for matrix protein import and peroxisome enlargement but not for peroxisome membrane proliferation.

PAY genes are required for peroxisome assembly in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Here we show that a mutant strain, pay2, is disrupted for the import of proteins targeted by either peroxisomal targeting signal-1 or -2. Electron microscopy of pay2 cells revealed the presence of small peroxisomal "ghosts," similar to the vesicular structures found in fibroblasts of patients with the human peroxisome assembly disorder, Zellweger syndrome. Functional complementation of pay2 with a plasmid library of Y. lipolytica genomic DNA identified a gene, PAY2, that restores growth of pay2 on oleic acid, import of catalase and multifunctional enzyme into peroxisomes, and formation of wild type peroxisomes. The PAY2 gene encodes Pay2p, a hydrophobic polypeptide of 404 amino acids. An antibody raised against Pay2p recognizes a polypeptide of approximately 42-kDa whose synthesis is induced by growth of Y. lipolytica on oleic acid. Pay2p is a peroxisomal integral membrane protein, as it localizes to carbonate-stripped peroxisomal membranes. Pay2p shows no identity to any known protein. Our results suggest that Pay2p is essential for the activity of the peroxisomal import machinery but does not affect the initial steps of peroxisomal membrane proliferation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Formation of peroxisomes from peroxisomal ghosts in a peroxisome-deficient mammalian cell mutant upon complementation by protein microinjection.

Most mammalian cell strains genetically deficient in peroxisome biogenesis have abnormal membrane structures called ghosts, containing integral peroxisomal membrane protein, PMP70, but lacking the peroxisomal matrix proteins. Upon genetic complementation, these mutants regain the ability of peroxisome biogenesis. It is postulated that, in this process, the ghosts act as the precursors of peroxisomes, but there has been no evidence to support this. In the present study, we investigated this issue by protein microinjection to a mutant Chinese hamster ovary cell line defective of PEX5, encoding a peroxisome-targeting signal receptor. When recombinant Pex5p and green fluorescent protein (GFP) carrying a peroxisome-targeting signal were co-injected into the mutant cells, the GFP fluorescence gathered over time to particulate structures where PMP70 was co-localized. This process was dependent on both Pex5p and the targeting signal, and, most importantly, occurred even in the presence of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. These findings suggest that the ghosts act as acceptors of matrix proteins in the peroxisome recovery process at least in the PEX5 mutant, and support the view that peroxisomes can grow by incorporating newly synthesized matrix proteins.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

The ER-peroxisome connection in plants: development of the "ER semi-autonomous peroxisome maturation and replication" model for plant peroxisome biogenesis.

The perceived role of the ER in the biogenesis of plant peroxisomes has evolved significantly from the original "ER vesiculation" model, which portrayed co-translational import of proteins into peroxisomes originating from the ER, to the "ER semi-autonomous peroxisome" model wherein membrane lipids and post-translationally acquired peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMPs) were derived from the ER. Results from more recent studies of various plant PMPs including ascorbate peroxidase, PEX10 and PEX16, as well as a viral replication protein, have since led to the formulation of a more elaborate "ER semi-autonomous peroxisome maturation and replication" model. Herein we review these results in the context of this newly proposed model and its predecessor models. We discuss also key distinct features of the new model pertaining to its central premise that the ER defines the semi-autonomous maturation (maintenance/assembly/differentiation) and duplication (division) features of specialized classes of pre-existing plant peroxisomes. This model also includes a novel peroxisome-to-ER retrograde sorting pathway that may serve as a constitutive protein retrieval/regulatory system. In addition, new plant peroxisomes are envisaged to arise primarily by duplication of the pre-existing peroxisomes that receive essential membrane components from the ER.

Endoplasmic Reticulum↗

Peroxisomal membrane protein Pmp47 is essential in the metabolism of middle-chain fatty acid in yeast peroxisomes and Is associated with peroxisome proliferation.

Pmp47 of the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii belongs to a mitochondrial family of solute transporters and is localized in peroxisomal membranes. Its human homolog, Pmp34, is also known. In this study, we characterized the role of Pmp47 in fatty acid metabolism and peroxisome proliferation using the PMP47-deleted strain of C. boidinii (strain pmp47Delta). The wild-type strain grew well on a middle-chain fatty acid, laureate, as the single carbon source, and mild peroxisome proliferation was observed during its growth. The pmp47Delta strain could not grow on laureate but could grow on long-chain fatty acids including palmitate, myristate, and oleate. The levels of laureate oxidation activity in intact cells and in semi-permeabilized cells of strain pmp47Delta were lower than the respective level in the wild-type strain, although the level of laureate oxidation activity in the cell lysate and the level of lauroyl-CoA oxidation in semi-permeabilized cells of strain pmp47Delta were indistinguishable from the respective level in the wild-type strain. When lauroyl-CoA was provided in the cytosol of strain pmp47Delta through expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Faa2p (lauroyl-CoA synthetase) in which its peroxisome targeting signal was deleted, the growth of strain pmp47Delta on laureate was recovered to the level of growth of the wild-type strain. Laureate is converted to its CoA form in peroxisomes by the action of lauroyl-CoA synthetase. These results suggested that Pmp47 is involved in the transport of a small molecule (possibly ATP) required in the conversion of laureate to its CoA form in peroxisomes and that the absence of Pmp47 causes impairment of laureate metabolism, which results in the inability of pmp47Delta cells to grow on laureate. In addition, Pmp47 may be involved in peroxisome proliferation, because the pmp47Delta strain contained a reduced number of peroxisomes, as judged from the fluorescence analysis of cells expressing green fluorescent protein tagged with the peroxisome targeting signal 1 (GFP-AKL).

Candida↗

Overexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha)-regulated genes in liver in the absence of peroxisome proliferation in mice deficient in both L- and D-forms of enoyl-CoA hydratase/dehydrogenase enzymes of peroxisomal beta-oxidation system.

Peroxisomal beta-oxidation system consists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha)-inducible pathway capable of catalyzing straight-chain acyl-CoAs and a second noninducible pathway catalyzing the oxidation of 2-methyl-branched fatty acyl-CoAs. Disruption of the inducible beta-oxidation pathway in mice at the level of fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX), the first and rate-limiting enzyme, results in spontaneous peroxisome proliferation and sustained activation of PPARalpha, leading to the development of liver tumors, whereas disruptions at the level of the second enzyme of this classical pathway or of the noninducible system had no such discernible effects. We now show that mice with complete inactivation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation at the level of the second enzyme, enoyl-CoA hydratase/L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (L-PBE) of the inducible pathway and D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase/D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (D-PBE) of the noninducible pathway (L-PBE-/-D-PBE-/-), exhibit severe growth retardation and postnatal mortality with none surviving beyond weaning. L-PBE-/-D-PBE-/- mice that survived exceptionally beyond the age of 3 weeks exhibited overexpression of PPARalpha-regulated genes in liver, despite the absence of morphological evidence of hepatic peroxisome proliferation. These studies establish that peroxisome proliferation in rodent liver is highly correlatable with the induction mostly of the L- and D-PBE genes. We conclude that disruption of peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation at the level of second enzyme in mice leads to the induction of many of the PPARalpha target genes independently of peroxisome proliferation in hepatocytes, raising the possibility that intermediate metabolites of very long-chain fatty acids and peroxisomal beta-oxidation act as ligands for PPARalpha.

Animals↗

Human peroxisomal targeting signal-1 receptor restores peroxisomal protein import in cells from patients with fatal peroxisomal disorders.

Two peroxisomal targeting signals, PTS1 and PTS2, are involved in the import of proteins into the peroxisome matrix. Human patients with fatal generalized peroxisomal deficiency disorders fall into at least nine genetic complementation groups. Cells from many of these patients are deficient in the import of PTS1-containing proteins, but the causes of the protein-import defect in these patients are unknown. We have cloned and sequenced the human cDNA homologue (PTS1R) of the Pichia pastoris PAS8 gene, the PTS1 receptor (McCollum, D., E. Monosov, and S. Subramani. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 121:761-774). The PTS1R mRNA is expressed in all human tissues examined. Antibodies to the human PTS1R recognize this protein in human, monkey, rat, and hamster cells. The protein is localized mainly in the cytosol but is also found to be associated with peroxisomes. Part of the peroxisomal PTS1R protein is tightly bound to the peroxisomal membrane. Antibodies to PTS1R inhibit peroxisomal protein-import of PTS1-containing proteins in a permeabilized CHO cell system. In vitro-translated PTS1R protein specifically binds a serine-lysine-leucine-peptide. A PAS8-PTS1R fusion protein complements the P. pastoris pas8 mutant. The PTS1R cDNA also complements the PTS1 protein-import defect in skin fibroblasts from patients--belonging to complementation group two--diagnosed as having neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy or Zellweger syndrome. The PTS1R gene has been localized to a chromosomal location where no other peroxisomal disorder genes are known to map. Our findings represent the only case in which the molecular basis of the protein-import deficiency in human peroxisomal disorders is understood.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Different recognition by peroxisome proliferator structures in rat peroxisomal induction: application of sandwich ELISA using monoclonal antibody against rat peroxisomes.

A novel assay for a peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme by sandwich ELISA using a monoclonal antibody (RPX-5) against purified rat liver peroxisomes was developed. Immunoblot analysis revealed that RPX-5 recognized a 78 Kd protein, which is a peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme (PBE) in the beta-oxidation pathway. Immunoprecipitation by RPX-5 and the resulting reduction of PBE activity were dependent on RPX-5 concentrations. Sandwich ELISA using RPX-5 could be used to assay PBE in the range of 30 to 2000 ng protein/ml. In rat hepatocyte cultures, the PBE amount by this assay correlated well with PBE activity, with correlation coefficients of 0.965. Studying the mechanisms of peroxisomal induction, patterns of peroxisomal induction were examined by co-treatment of rat hepatocytes with various peroxisome proliferators (PxPs). Treatment with clofibrate and bezafibrate resulted in neither an additive nor synergistic effect on PBE level. On the other hand, co-treatment with either bezafibrate-Wy-14,643 or clofibrate-MEHP(mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) both resulted in an additive effect. From these results, it is suggested that PxPs of the fibrate group may exert their functions via a common process, and non-fibrate PxPs via a different process in hepatocytes. The cognition site for peroxisome proliferators, therefore, might not involve a single site for inducing peroxisomal enzymes.

3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases↗

Peroxisomal fatty acid alpha- and beta-oxidation in humans: enzymology, peroxisomal metabolite transporters and peroxisomal diseases.

Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles with an indispensable role in cellular metabolism. The importance of peroxisomes for humans is stressed by the existence of a group of genetic diseases in humans in which there is an impairment in one or more peroxisomal functions. Most of these functions have to do with lipid metabolism including the alpha- and beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Here we describe the current state of knowledge about peroxisomal fatty acid alpha- and beta-oxidation with particular emphasis on the following: (1) the substrates beta-oxidized in peroxisomes; (2) the enzymology of the alpha- and beta-oxidation systems; (3) the permeability properties of the peroxisomal membrane and the role of the different transporters therein; (4) the interaction with other subcellular compartments, including the mitochondria, which are the ultimate site of NADH re-oxidation and full degradation of acetyl-CoA to CO(2) and water; and (5) the different disorders of peroxisomal alpha- and beta-oxidation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Induction of peroxisomal oxidases in mussels: comparison of effects of lubricant oil and benzo(a)pyrene with two typical peroxisome proliferators on peroxisome structure and function in Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Marine mussels are used as bioindicators of water pollution in marine and estuarine environments in the so-called "Mussel Watch" programs because of their capacity to accumulate numerous organic xenobiotics including aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, we have analyzed the effects of two xenobiotics [benzo(a)pyrene and the water accommodated fraction of a lubricant oil] and two typical (rodent) peroxisome proliferators (clofibrate and dioctyl phthalate) on structure and function of peroxisomes in digestive glands of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, either following water exposure (for 1, 7, and 21 days) or after direct injection through the adductor muscle (for 1 and 7 days). The activities of catalase (CAT), acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX), and D-amino acid oxidase were determined in whole homogenates of digestive glands. In addition, stereological methods were applied on sections stained histochemically for demonstration of catalase activity in order to quantify the morphological changes of peroxisomes. The peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase and D-amino acid oxidase were increased in mussels injected for 7 days with benzo(a)pyrene, phthalate, and clofibrate and a similar trend was noted for benzo(a)pyrene and lubricant oil in water exposure experiments (21 days). The catalase activity was reduced or unchanged depending on the mode of exposure of animals. By stereology, significant increases of numerical and volume densities of peroxisomes were found in animals injected for 7 days with lubricant oil or clofibrate. These observations indicate that peroxisomal oxidases in mussels are induced at moderate rates in response to different xenobiotics and that their determination could provide a (sensitive) marker for detection of effects of some toxic pollutants, particularly the lubricant oils which in addition induce significant structural alterations of mussel peroxisomes.

Animals↗

Yarrowia lipolytica cells mutant for the PEX24 gene encoding a peroxisomal membrane peroxin mislocalize peroxisomal proteins and accumulate membrane structures containing both peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins.

Peroxins are proteins required for peroxisome assembly and are encoded by the PEX genes. Functional complementation of the oleic acid-nonutilizing strain mut1-1 of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has identified the novel gene, PEX24. PEX24 encodes Pex24p, a protein of 550 amino acids (61,100 Da). Pex24p is an integral membrane protein of peroxisomes that exhibits high sequence homology to two hypothetical proteins encoded by the open reading frames YHR150W and YDR479C of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. Pex24p is detectable in wild-type cells grown in glucose-containing medium, and its levels are significantly increased by incubation of cells in oleic acid-containing medium, the metabolism of which requires intact peroxisomes. pex24 mutants are compromised in the targeting of both matrix and membrane proteins to peroxisomes. Although pex24 mutants fail to assemble functional peroxisomes, they do harbor membrane structures that contain subsets of peroxisomal proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Peroxisome biogenesis in Hansenula polymorpha: different mutations in genes, essential for peroxisome biogenesis, cause different peroxisomal mutant phenotypes.

In Hansenula polymorpha, different monogenic recessive mutations mapped in either of two previously identified genes, PER1 and PER3, produced different peroxisomal mutant phenotypes. Among five per1 mutants, four showed a Pim- phenotype: the cells contained few small peroxisomes while the bulk of the matrix enzymes resided in the cytosol. One of these mutants, per1-124 had an enhanced rate of peroxisome proliferation. The fifth mutant completely lacked peroxisomes (Per- phenotype). Of seven per3 mutants, four displayed a Pim- phenotype, two others a Per- phenotype, while one mutant showed pH-dependent growth on methanol and was affected in oligomerization of peroxisomal matrix protein. Thus, the protein products of both PER1 and PER3 genes appear to be essential in different aspects of peroxisome assembly/proliferation.

Genes, Fungal↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-dependent and -independent transcriptional modulation of several non-peroxisomal genes by peroxisome proliferators.

To better characterize peroxisome proliferator-induced non-peroxisomal responses, we searched the mRNAs of which the levels were modulated by proliferators. We used the PCR-based methods including differential display. The mRNAs were divided into at least four groups by their time-courses of induction and repression: group 1 very rapidly increased then decreased; group 2 increased after a time lag (well-characterized peroxisomal mRNAs belonged to this group); group 3 decreased reciprocally compared with group 2 mRNAs; group 4 increased after group 2 mRNAs, with a much longer lag period. All of these modulations cannot be explained by peroxisome proliferator action through PPAR and RXR dimerization on the target genes to activate transcription. Another unidentified transcription factor may be involved in some of these modulations. It will also be important to consider PPAR-independent pathways when studying the diverse effects of peroxisome proliferators.

Animals↗