Peroxisome protein import: a complex journey.

The import of proteins into peroxisomes possesses many unusual features such as the ability to import folded proteins, and a surprising diversity of targeting signals with differing affinities that can be recognised by the same receptor. As understanding of the structure and function of many components of the protein import machinery has grown, an increasingly complex network of factors affecting each step of the import pathway has emerged. Structural studies have revealed the presence of additional interactions between cargo proteins and the PEX5 receptor that affect import potential, with a subtle network of cargo-induced conformational changes in PEX5 being involved in the import process. Biochemical studies have also indicated an interdependence of receptor-cargo import with release of unloaded receptor from the peroxisome. Here we provide an update on recent literature concerning mechanisms of protein import into peroxisomes

Optical Control of Peroxisomal Trafficking

The blue-light-responsive LOV2 domain of <i>Avena sativa</i> phototropin1 (<i>As</i>LOV2) has been used to regulate activity and binding of diverse protein targets with light. Here, we used <i>As</i>LOV2 to photocage a peroxisomal targeting sequence, allowing light regulation of peroxisomal protein import. We generated a protein tag, LOV-PTS1, that can be appended to proteins of interest to direct their import to the peroxisome with light. This method provides a means to inducibly trigger peroxisomal protein trafficking in specific cells at user-defined times

Optical Control of Peroxisomal Trafficking

The blue-light-responsive LOV2 domain of <i>Avena sativa</i> phototropin1 (<i>As</i>LOV2) has been used to regulate activity and binding of diverse protein targets with light. Here, we used <i>As</i>LOV2 to photocage a peroxisomal targeting sequence, allowing light regulation of peroxisomal protein import. We generated a protein tag, LOV-PTS1, that can be appended to proteins of interest to direct their import to the peroxisome with light. This method provides a means to inducibly trigger peroxisomal protein trafficking in specific cells at user-defined times