Ubiquitination of the peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 receptor, Pex5p, suggests the presence of a quality control mechanism during peroxisomal matrix protein import

PEX genes encode proteins (peroxins) that are required for the biogenesis of peroxisomes. One of these peroxins, Pex5p, is the receptor for matrix proteins with a type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS1), which shuttles newly synthesized proteins from the cytosol into the peroxisome matrix. We observed that in various Saccharomyces cerevisiae pex mutants disturbed in the early stages of PTS1 import, the steady-state levels of Pex5p are enhanced relative to wild type controls. Furthermore, we identified ubiquitinated forms of Pex5p in deletion mutants of those PEX genes that have been implicated in recycling of Pex5p from the peroxisomal membrane into the cytosol. Pex5p ubiquitination required the presence of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc4p and the peroxins that are required during early stages of PTS1 protein import. Finally, we provide evidence that the proteasome is involved in the turnover of Pex5p in wild type yeast cells, a process that requires Ubc4p and occurs at the peroxisomal membrane. Our data suggest that during receptor recycling a portion of Pex5p becomes ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome. We propose that this process represents a conserved quality control mechanism in peroxisome biogenesis.     

The peroxisome biogenesis factors pex4p, pex22p, pex1p, and pex6p act in the terminal steps of peroxisomal matrix protein import

Peroxisomes are independent organelles found in virtually all eukaryotic cells. Genetic studies have identified more than 20 PEX genes that are required for peroxisome biogenesis. The role of most PEX gene products, peroxins, remains to be determined, but a variety of studies have established that Pex5p binds the type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal and is the import receptor for most newly synthesized peroxisomal matrix proteins. The steady-state abundance of Pex5p is unaffected in most pex mutants of the yeast Pichia pastoris but is severely reduced in pex4 and pex22 mutants and moderately reduced in pex1 and pex6 mutants. We used these subphenotypes to determine the epistatic relationships among several groups of pex mutants. Our results demonstrate that Pex4p acts after the peroxisome membrane synthesis factor Pex3p, the Pex5p docking factors Pex13p and Pex14p, the matrix protein import factors Pex8p, Pex10p, and Pex12p, and two other peroxins, Pex2p and Pex17p. Pex22p and the interacting AAA ATPases Pex1p and Pex6p were also found to act after Pex10p. Furthermore, Pex1p and Pex6p were found to act upstream of Pex4p and Pex22p. These results suggest that Pex1p, Pex4p, Pex6p, and Pex22p act late in peroxisomal matrix protein import, after matrix protein translocation. This hypothesis is supported by the phenotypes of the corresponding mutant strains. As has been shown previously for P. pastoris pex1, pex6, and pex22 mutant cells, we show here that pex4Delta mutant cells contain peroxisomal membrane protein-containing peroxisomes that import residual amounts of peroxisomal matrix proteins.     

Pex18p is constitutively degraded during peroxisome biogenesis

Pex18p and Pex21p are structurally related yeast peroxins (proteins required for peroxisome biogenesis) that are partially redundant in function. One or the other is essential for the import into peroxisomes of proteins with type 2 peroxisomal targeting sequences (PTS2). These sequences bind to the soluble PTS2 receptor, Pex7p, which in turn binds to Pex18p (or Pex21p or possibly both). Here we show that Pex18p is constitutively degraded with a half-time of less than 10 min in wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This degradation probably occurs in proteasomes, because it requires the related ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes Ubc4p and Ubc5p and occurs normally in a mutant lacking the Pep4p vacuolar protease. The turnover of Pex18p stops, and Pex18p accumulates to a much higher than normal abundance in pex mutants in which the import of all peroxisomal matrix proteins is blocked. This includes mutants that lack peroxins involved in receptor docking at the membrane (Deltapex13 or Deltapex14), a mutant that lacks the peroxisomal member of the E2 family of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (Deltapex4), and others (Deltapex1). This stabilization in a variety of pex mutants indicates that Pex18p turnover is associated with its normal function. A Pex18p-Pex7p complex is detected by immunoprecipitation in wild type cells, and its abundance increases considerably in the Deltapex14 peroxisome biogenesis mutant. Cells that lack Pex7p fail to stabilize and accumulate Pex18p, indicating an important role for complex formation in the stabilization. Mono- and diubiquitinated forms of Pex18p are detected in wild-type cells, and there is no Pex18p turnover in a yeast doa4 mutant in which ubiquitin homeostasis is defective. These data represent, to the best of our knowledge, the first instance of an organelle biogenesis factor that is degraded constitutively and rapidly.     

The Cytosolic Domain of Pex22p Stimulates the Pex4p-Dependent Ubiquitination of the PTS1-Receptor

Peroxisomal biogenesis is an ubiquitin-dependent process because the receptors required for the import of peroxisomal matrix proteins are controlled via their ubiquitination status. A key step is the monoubiquitination of the import receptor Pex5p by the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) Pex4p. This monoubiquitination is supposed to take place after Pex5p has released the cargo into the peroxisomal matrix and primes Pex5p for the extraction from the membrane by the mechano-enzymes Pex1p/Pex6p. These two AAA-type ATPases export Pex5p back to the cytosol for further rounds of matrix protein import. Recently, it has been reported that the soluble Pex4p requires the interaction to its peroxisomal membrane-anchor Pex22p to display full activity. Here we demonstrate that the soluble C-terminal domain of Pex22p harbours its biological activity and that this activity is independent from its function as membrane-anchor of Pex4p. We show that Pex4p can be functionally fused to the trans-membrane segment of the membrane protein Pex3p, which is not directly involved in Pex5p-ubiquitination and matrix protein import. However, this Pex3(N)-Pex4p chimera can only complement the double-deletion strain pex4Δ/pex22Δ and ensure optimal Pex5p-ubiquitination when the C-terminal part of Pex22p is additionally expressed in the cell. Thus, while the membrane-bound portion Pex22(N)p is not required when Pex4p is fused to Pex3(N)p, the soluble Pex22(C)p is essential for peroxisomal biogenesis and efficient monoubiquitination of the import receptor Pex5p by the E3-ligase Pex12p in vivo and in vitro. The results merge into a picture of an ubiquitin-conjugating complex at the peroxisomal membrane consisting of three domains: the ubiquitin-conjugating domain (Pex4p), a membrane-anchor domain (Pex22(N)p) and an enhancing domain (Pex22(C)p), with the membrane-anchor domain being mutually exchangeable, while the Ubc- and enhancer-domains are essential.     

Pex12p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a component of a multi-protein complex essential for peroxisomal matrix protein import

We have isolated the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pex12-1 mutant from a screen to identify mutants defective in peroxisome biogenesis. The pex12delta deletion strain fails to import peroxisomal matrix proteins through both the PTS1 and PTS2 pathway. The PEX12 gene was cloned by functional complementation of the pex12-1 mutant strain and encodes a polypeptide of 399 amino acids. ScPex12p is orthologous to Pex12 proteins from other species and like its orthologues, S. cerevisiae Pex12p contains a degenerate RING finger domain of the C3HC4 type in its essential carboxy-terminus. Localization studies demonstrate that Pex12p is an integral peroxisomal membrane protein, with its NH2-terminus facing the peroxisomal lumen and with its COOH-terminus facing the cytosol. Pex12p-deficient cells retain particular structures that contain peroxisomal membrane proteins consistent with the existence of peroxisomal membrane remnants ("ghosts") in pex12A null mutant cells. This finding indicates that pex12delta cells are not impaired in peroxisomal membrane biogenesis. In immunoisolation experiments Pex12p was co-purified with the RING finger protein Pex10p, the PTS1 receptor Pex5p and the docking proteins for the PTS1 and the PTS2 receptor at the peroxisomal membrane, Pex13p and Pex14p. Furthermore, two-hybrid experiments suggest that the two RING finger domains are sufficient for the Pex10p-Pex12p interaction. Our results suggest that Pex12p is a component of the peroxisomal translocation machinery for matrix proteins.     

Distinct Ubiquitination Cascades Act on the Peroxisomal Targeting Signal Type 2 Co‐receptor Pex18p

Peroxisomal matrix protein import is facilitated by cycling receptors that recognize their cargo proteins in the cytosol by a peroxisomal targeting sequence (PTS) and ferry them to the peroxisomal membrane. Subsequently, the cargo is translocated into the peroxisomal lumen, whereas the receptor is released to the cytosol for further rounds of protein import. This cycle is controlled by the ubiquitination status of the receptor, which is best understood for the PTS1‐receptor. While polyubiquitination of PTS‐receptors results in their proteasomal degradation, the monoubiquitinated PTS‐receptors are exported to the cytosol and recycled for further rounds of protein import. Here, we describe the identification of two ubiquitination cascades acting on the PTS2 co‐receptor Pex18p. Using in vivo and in vitro approaches, we demonstrate that the polyubiquitination of Pex18p requires the ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme (E2) Ubc4p, which cooperates with the RING (really interesting new gene)‐type ubiquitin‐protein ligases (E3) Pex2p as well as Pex10p. Monoubiquitination of Pex18p depends on the E2 enzyme Pex4p (Ubc10p), which functions in concert with the E3 enzymes Pex12p and Pex10p. Our findings for the PTS2‐pathway complement the data on PTS1‐receptor ubiquitination and add up to a unified concept of the ubiquitin‐based regulation of peroxisomal import .     

The mammalian peroxin Pex5pL, the longer isoform of the mobile peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) type 1 transporter, translocates the Pex7p.PTS2 protein complex into peroxisomes via its initial docking site, Pex14p

In mammals, two isoforms of the peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) type 1 receptor Pex5p, i.e. Pex5pS and Pex5pL with an internal 37-amino acid insertion, have previously been identified. Expression of either type of Pex5p complements the impaired PTS1 import in Chinese hamster ovary pex5 mutants, but only Pex5pL can rescue the PTS2 import defect noted in a subgroup of pex5 mutants such as ZP105. In this work, we found that Pex5pL directly interacts with the PTS2 receptor Pex7p, carrying its cargo PTS2 protein in the cytosol. Pex5pL, but not Pex5pS, mediated the binding of PTS2 protein to Pex14p by translocating Pex7p, demonstrating that Pex5pL plays a pivotal role in peroxisomal PTS2 import. Pex5p was localized mostly in the cytosol in wild-type CHO-K1 and Pex14p-deficient mutant cells, whereas it accumulated in the peroxisomal remnants in cell mutants defective in Pex13p or the RING family peroxins such as Pex2p and Pex12p. Furthermore, overexpression of Pex14p, but not Pex10p, Pex12p, or Pex13p, caused accumulation of Pex5p in peroxisomal membranes, with concomitant interference with PTS1 and PTS2 import. Therefore, Pex5p carrying the cargoes most likely docks with the initial site (Pex14p) in a putative import machinery, subsequently translocating to other components such as Pex13p, Pex2p, Pex10p, and Pex12p.     

Disruption of the interaction of the longer isoform of Pex5p, Pex5pL, with Pex7p abolishes peroxisome targeting signal type 2 protein import in mammals. Study with a novel Pex5-impaired Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant

We isolated peroxisome biogenesis-defective Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants from TKaG2 cells, wild-type CHO-K1 cells transformed with two cDNAs encoding rat Pex2p and peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) type 2-tagged green fluorescent protein, by the 9-(1'-pyrene)nonanol/UV selection method. Ten mutant clones showed cytosolic PTS2-green fluorescent protein, indicative of a defect in PTS2 import, and were classified in five complementation groups, i.e. pex1, pex2, pex5, pex14, and group A. One PEX5-deficient mutant, ZPG231, showed a novel phenotype: PTS2 proteins in the cytosol, but PTS1 proteins and catalase in peroxisomes. In ZPG231, two isoforms of the PTS1 receptor Pex5p, a shorter Pex5pS and a longer Pex5pL, were expressed as in wild-type cells, but possessed the missense point mutation S214F in both Pex5p isoforms, termed Pex5pS-S214F and Pex5pL-S214F, respectively. The S214F mutation was located only one amino acid upstream of the Pex5pL-specific 37-amino acid insertion site. Pex5pS-S214F and Pex5pL-S214F interacted with peroxisomal proteins, including PTS1 protein, catalase, and Pex14p, as efficiently as normal Pex5p. In contrast, the S214F mutation severely affected the binding of Pex5pL to the PTS2 receptor Pex7p. Expression of Pex5pL-S214F in pex5 cell mutants defective in PTS1 and PTS2 transport restored peroxisomal import of PTS1, but not PTS2. Together, the results indicate that ZPG231 is the first cell mutant providing evidence that disruption of the Pex5pL-Pex7p interaction completely abolishes PTS2 import in mammals.     

Insights into the Role of the Peroxisomal Ubiquitination Machinery in Pex13p Degradation in the Yeast Hansenula polymorpha

The import of matrix proteins into peroxisomes in yeast requires the action of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Pex4p and a complex consisting of the ubiquitin E3 ligases Pex2p, Pex10p and Pex12p. Together, this peroxisomal ubiquitination machinery is thought to ubiquitinate the cycling receptor protein Pex5p and members of the Pex20p family of co-receptors, a modification that is required for receptor recycling. However, recent reports have demonstrated that this machinery plays a role in additional peroxisome-associated processes. Hence, our understanding of the function of these proteins in peroxisome biology is still incomplete. Here, we identify a role for the peroxisomal ubiquitination machinery in the degradation of the peroxisomal membrane protein Pex13p. Our data demonstrate that Pex13p levels build up in cells lacking members of this machinery and also establish that Pex13p undergoes rapid degradation in wild-type cells. Furthermore, we show that Pex13p is ubiquitinated in wild-type cells and also establish that Pex13p ubiquitination is reduced in cells lacking a functional peroxisomal E3 ligase complex. Finally, deletion of PEX2 causes Pex13p to build up at the peroxisomal membrane. Taken together, our data provide further evidence that the role of the peroxisomal ubiquitination machinery in peroxisome biology goes much deeper than receptor recycling alone.     

Peroxisome remnants in pex3delta cells and the requirement of Pex3p for interactions between the peroxisomal docking and translocation subcomplexes

During peroxisomal matrix protein import, the peroxisomal targeting signal receptors recognize cargo in the cytosol and interact with docking and translocation subcomplexes on the peroxisomal membrane. Using immunoprecipitations of multiple protein components, we show that in Pichia pastoris the docking subcomplex consists of the unique peroxins Pex13p, Pex14p and Pex17p, whereas the putative translocation subcomplex has all three RING-finger peroxins, Pex2p, Pex10p and Pex12p, as unique constituents. We identify Pex3p as a shared component of both subcomplexes. In pex3Δ cells, the unique constituents of the docking subcomplex interact as they do in wild-type cells, but the assembly of the translocation subcomplex is impaired and its components are present at reduced levels. Furthermore, several interactions detected in wild-type cells between translocation and docking subcomplex components are undetectable in pex3Δ cells. Contrary to previous reports, pex3Δ cells have peroxisome remnants that pellet during high-speed centrifugation, associate with membranes on floatation gradients and can be visualized by deconvolution microscopy using antibodies to several peroxins which were not available earlier. We discuss roles for Pex3p in the assembly of specific peroxisomal membrane protein subcomplexes whose formation is necessary for matrix protein import.     

Peroxisomal membrane protein import does not require Pex17p

Of the approximately 20 proteins required for peroxisome biogenesis, only four have been implicated in the process of peroxisomal membrane protein (PMP) import: Pex3p, Pex16p, Pex17p, and Pex19p. To improve our understanding of the role that Pex17p plays in PMP import, we examined the behavior of PMPs in a Pichia pastoris pex17 mutant. Relative to wild-type cells, pex17 cells appeared to have a mild reduction in PMP stability and slightly aberrant PMP behavior in subcellular fractionation experiments. However, we also found that the behavior of PMPs in the pex17 mutant was indistinguishable from PMP behavior in a pex5 mutant, which has no defect in PMP import, and was far different from PMP behavior in a pex3 mutant, which has a bona fide defect in PMP import. Furthermore, we found that a pex14 mutant, which has no defect in PMP import, lacks detectable levels of Pex17p. Based on these and other results, we propose that Pex17p acts primarily in the matrix protein import pathway and does not play an important role in PMP import.     

The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Pex4p of Hansenula polymorpha is required for efficient functioning of the PTS1 import machinery.

We have cloned the Hansenula polymorpha PEX4 gene by functional complementation of a peroxisome-deficient mutant. The PEX4 translation product, Pex4p, is a member of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family. In H.polymorpha, Pex4p is a constitutive, low abundance protein. Both the original mutant and the pex4 deletion strain (Deltapex4) showed a specific defect in import of peroxisomal matrix proteins containing a C-terminal targeting signal (PTS1) and of malate synthase, whose targeting signal is not yet known. Import of the PTS2 protein amine oxidase and the insertion of the peroxisomal membrane proteins Pex3p and Pex14p was not disturbed in Deltapex4 cells. The PTS1 protein import defect in Deltapex4 cells could be suppressed by overproduction of the PTS1 receptor, Pex5p, in a dose-response related manner. In such cells, Pex5p is localized in the cytosol and in peroxisomes. The peroxisome-bound Pex5p specifically accumulated at the inner surface of the peroxisomal membrane and thus differed from Pex5p in wild-type peroxisomes, which is localized throughout the matrix. We hypothesize that in H. polymorpha Pex4p plays an essential role for normal functioning of Pex5p, possibly in mediating recycling of Pex5p from the peroxisome to the cytosol.     

Pex17p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Is a Novel Peroxin and Component of the Peroxisomal Protein Translocation Machinery

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae pex17-1 mutant was isolated from a screen to identify mutants defective in peroxisome biogenesis. pex17-1 and pex17 null mutants fail to import matrix proteins into peroxisomes via both PTS1- and PTS2-dependent pathways. The PEX17 gene (formerly PAS9; Albertini, M., P. Rehling, R. Erdmann, W. Girzalsky, J.A.K.W. Kiel, M. Veenhuis, and W.-H Kunau. 1997. Cell. 89:83–92) encodes a polypeptide of 199 amino acids with one predicted membrane spanning region and two putative coiled-coil structures. However, localization studies demonstrate that Pex17p is a peripheral membrane protein located at the surface of peroxisomes. Particulate structures containing the peroxisomal integral membrane proteins Pex3p and Pex11p are evident in pex17 mutant cells, indicating the existence of peroxisomal remnants (“ghosts”). This finding suggests that pex17 null mutant cells are not impaired in peroxisomal membrane biogenesis. Two-hybrid studies showed that Pex17p directly binds to Pex14p, the recently proposed point of convergence for the two peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS)-dependent import pathways, and indirectly to Pex5p, the PTS1 receptor. The latter interaction requires Pex14p, indicating the potential of these three peroxins to form a trimeric complex. This conclusion is supported by immunoprecipitation experiments showing that Pex14p and Pex17p coprecipitate with both PTS receptors in the absence of Pex13p. From these and other studies we conclude that Pex17p, in addition to Pex13p and Pex14p, is the third identified component of the peroxisomal translocation machinery.     

Cysteine-specific ubiquitination protects the peroxisomal import receptor Pex5p against proteasomal degradation

Peroxisomal matrix protein import is mediated by dynamic import receptors, which cycle between the peroxisomal membrane and the cytosol. Proteins with a type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS1) are bound by the import receptor Pex5p in the cytosol and guided to the peroxisomal membrane. After cargo translocation into the peroxisomal matrix, the receptor is released from the membrane back to the cytosol in an ATP-dependent manner by the AAA-type ATPases Pex1p and Pex6p. These mechanoenzymes recognize ubiquitinated Pex5p-species as substrates for membrane extraction. The PTS1-receptor is either polyubiquitinated via peptide bonds at two certain lysines and results in proteasomal degradation or monoubiquitinated via a thioester-bond at a conserved cysteine, which enables the recycling of Pex5p and further rounds of matrix protein import. To investigate the physiological relevance of the conserved N-terminal cysteine of Pex5p, the known target amino acids for ubiquitination were substituted by site-directed mutagenesis. In contrast with Pex5p_C6A, Pex5p_C6K turned out to be functional in PTS1 import and utilization of oleic acid, independent of the lysines at position 18 and 24. In contrast with wild-type Pex5p, Pex5p_C6K displays an ubiquitination pattern, similar to the polyubiquitination pattern of Pex4p or Pex22p mutant strains. Moreover, Pex5p_C6K displays a significantly reduced steady-state level when the deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp15p is missing. Thus, our results indicate that not the cysteine residue but the position of ubiquitination is important for Pex5p function. The presence of the cysteine prevents polyubiquitination and rapid degradation of Pex5p.     

Distinct Modes of Ubiquitination of Peroxisome-targeting Signal Type 1 (PTS1) Receptor Pex5p Regulate PTS1 Protein Import

Peroxisome targeting signal type-1 (PTS1) receptor, Pex5p, is a key player in peroxisomal matrix protein import. Pex5p recognizes PTS1 cargoes in the cytosol, targets peroxisomes, translocates across the membrane, unloads the cargoes, and shuttles back to the cytosol. Ubiquitination of Pex5p at a conserved cysteine is required for the exit from peroxisomes. However, any potential ubiquitin ligase (E3) remains unidentified in mammals. Here, we establish an in vitro ubiquitination assay system and demonstrate that RING finger Pex10p functions as an E3 with an E2, UbcH5C. The E3 activity of Pex10p is essential for its peroxisome-restoring activity, being enhanced by another RING peroxin, Pex12p. The Pex10p·Pex12p complex catalyzes monoubiquitination of Pex5p at one of multiple lysine residues in vitro, following the dissociation of Pex5p from Pex14p and the PTS1 cargo. Several lines of evidence with lysine-to-arginine mutants of Pex5p demonstrate that Pex10p RING E3-mediated ubiquitination of Pex5p is required for its efficient export from peroxisomes to the cytosol and peroxisomal matrix protein import. RING peroxins are required for both modes of Pex5p ubiquitination, thus playing a pivotal role in Pex5p shuttling.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae pex3p and pex19p are required for proper localization and stability of peroxisomal membrane proteins

The mechanisms by which peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMPs) are targeted to and inserted into membranes are unknown, as are the required components. We show that among a collection of 16 Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisome biogenesis (pex) mutants, two mutants, pex3Delta and pex19Delta, completely lack detectable peroxisomal membrane structures and mislocalize their PMPs to the cytosol where they are rapidly degraded. The other pexDelta mutants contain membrane structures that are properly inherited during vegetative growth and that house multiple PMPs. Even Pex15p requires Pex3p and Pex19p for localization to peroxisomal membranes. This PMP was previously hypothesized to travel via the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to peroxisomes. We provide evidence that ER-accumulated Pex15p is not a sorting intermediate on its way to peroxisomes. Our results show that Pex3p and Pex19p are required for the proper localization of all PMPs tested, including Pex15p, whereas the other Pex proteins might only be required for targeting/import of matrix proteins.     

Yeast pex1 cells contain peroxisomal ghosts that import matrix proteins upon reintroduction of Pex1

Pex1 and Pex6 are two AAA-ATPases that play a crucial role in peroxisome biogenesis. We have characterized the ultrastructure of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisome-deficient mutants pex1 and pex6 by various high-resolution electron microscopy techniques. We observed that the cells contained peroxisomal membrane remnants, which in ultrathin cross sections generally appeared as double membrane rings. Electron tomography revealed that these structures consisted of one continuous membrane, representing an empty, flattened vesicle, which folds into a cup shape. Immunocytochemistry revealed that these structures lack peroxisomal matrix proteins but are the sole sites of the major peroxisomal membrane proteins Pex2, Pex10, Pex11, Pex13, and Pex14. Upon reintroduction of Pex1 in Pex1-deficient cells, these peroxisomal membrane remnants (ghosts) rapidly incorporated peroxisomal matrix proteins and developed into peroxisomes. Our data support earlier views that Pex1 and Pex6 play a role in peroxisomal matrix protein import.     

A conserved cysteine is essential for Pex4p-dependent ubiquitination of the peroxisomal import receptor Pex5p

The peroxisomal protein import receptor Pex5p is modified by ubiquitin, both in an Ubc4p-dependent and -independent manner. Here we show that the two types of ubiquitination target different residues in the NH(2)-terminal region of Pex5p and we identify Pex4p (Ubc10p) as the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme required for Ubc4p-independent ubiquitination. Whereas Ubc4p-dependent ubiquitination occurs on two lysine residues, Pex4p-dependent ubiquitination neither requires lysine residues nor the NH(2)-terminal alpha-NH(2) group. Instead, a conserved cysteine residue appears to be essential for both the Pex4p-dependent ubiquitination and the overall function of Pex5p. In addition, we show that this form of ubiquitinated Pex5p is susceptible to the reducing agent beta-mercaptoethanol, a compound that is unable to break ubiquitin-NH(2) group linkages. Together, our results strongly suggest that Pex4p-dependent ubiquitination of Pex5p occurs on a cysteine residue.     

The deubiquitination of the PTS1-import receptor Pex5p is required for peroxisomal matrix protein import

Peroxisomal biogenesis depends on the correct import of matrix proteins into the lumen of the organelle. Most peroxisomal matrix proteins harbor the peroxisomal targeting-type 1 (PTS1), which is recognized by the soluble PTS1-receptor Pex5p in the cytosol. Pex5p ferries the PTS1-proteins to the peroxisomal membrane and releases them into the lumen. Finally, the PTS1-receptor is monoubiquitinated on the conserved cysteine 6 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The monoubiquitinated Pex5p is recognized by the peroxisomal export machinery and is retrotranslocated into the cytosol for further rounds of protein import. However, the functional relevance of deubiquitination has not yet been addressed.In this study, we have analyzed a Pex5p-truncation lacking Cys6 [(Δ6)Pex5p], a construct with a ubiquitin-moiety genetically fused to the truncation [Ub-(Δ6)Pex5p], as well as a construct with a reduced susceptibility to deubiquitination [Ub(G75/76A)-(Δ6)Pex5p]. While the (Δ6)Pex5p-truncation is not functional, the Ub-(Δ6)Pex5p chimeric protein can facilitate matrix protein import. In contrast, the Ub(G75/76A)-(Δ6)Pex5p chimera exhibits a complete PTS1-import defect. The data show for the first time that not only ubiquitination but also deubiquitination rates are tightly regulated and that efficient deubiquitination of Pex5p is essential for peroxisomal biogenesis.     

Ubiquitination of the peroxisomal import receptor Pex5p is required for its recycling

Pex5p, which is the import receptor for peroxisomal matrix proteins harboring a type I signal sequence (PTS1), is mono- and polyubiquitinated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We identified Pex5p as a molecular target for Pex4p-dependent monoubiquitination and demonstrated that either poly- or monoubiquitination of the receptor is required for the ATP-dependent release of the protein from the peroxisomal membrane to the cytosol as part of the receptor cycle. Therefore, the energy requirement of the peroxisomal import pathway has to be extended by a second ATP-dependent step, namely receptor monoubiquitination.