Satoru Mukai

The Peroxin Pex14p cDNA CLONING BY FUNCTIONAL COMPLEMENTATION ON A CHINESE HAMSTER OVARY CELL MUTANT, CHARACTERIZATION, AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS

Rat cDNA encoding a 376-amino acid peroxin was isolated by functional complementation of a peroxisome-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant, ZP110, of complementation group 14 (CG14). The primary sequence showed 28 and 24% amino acid identity with the yeast Pex14p from Hansenula polymorpha andSaccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively; therefore, we termed this cDNA rat PEX14 (RnPEX14). Human and Chinese hamster Pex14p showed 96 and 94% identity to rat Pex14p, except that both Pex14p comprised 377 amino acids. Pex14p was characterized as an integral membrane protein of peroxisomes, exposing its N- and C-terminal parts to the cytosol. Pex14p interacts with both Pex5p and Pex7p, the receptors for peroxisome targeting signal type 1 (PTS1) and PTS2, respectively, together with the receptors’ cargoes, PTS1 and PTS2 proteins. Mutation in PEX14 from ZP161, the same CG as ZP110, was determined by reverse transcription-PCR as follows. A 133-base pair deletion at nucleotide residues 37–169 in one allele created a termination codon at 40–42; in addition to this mutation, 103 base pairs were deleted at positions 385–487, resulting in the second termination immediately downstream the second deletion site in the other allele. Neither of these two mutant forms of Pex14p restored peroxisome biogenesis in ZP110 and ZP161, thereby demonstrating PEX14 to be responsible for peroxisome deficiency in CG14.

Cysteine ubiquitination of PTS1 receptor Pex5p regulates Pex5p recycling

Pex5p is the cytosolic receptor for peroxisome matrix proteins with peroxisome‐targeting signal (PTS) type 1 and shuttles between the cytosol and peroxisomes. Here, we show that Pex5p is ubiquitinated at the conserved cysteine11 in a manner sensitive to dithiothreitol, in a form associated with peroxisomes. Pex5p with a mutation of the cysteine11 to alanine, termed Pex5p‐C11A, abrogates peroxisomal import of PTS1 and PTS2 proteins in wild‐type cells. Pex5p‐C11A is imported into peroxisomes but not exported, resulting in its accumulation in peroxisomes. These results suggest an essential role of the cysteine residue in the export of Pex5p. Furthermore, domain mapping indicates that N‐terminal 158‐amino‐acid region of Pex5p‐C11A, termed 158‐CA, is sufficient for such dominant‐negative activity by binding to membrane peroxin Pex14p via its two pentapeptide WXXXF/Y motifs. Stable expression of either Pex5p‐C11A or 158‐CA likewise inhibits the wild‐type Pex5p import into peroxisomes, strongly suggesting that Pex5p‐C11A exerts the dominant‐negative effect at the translocation step via Pex14p. Taken together, these findings show that the cysteine11 of Pex5p is indispensable for two distinct steps, its import and export. The Pex5p‐C11A would be a useful tool for gaining a mechanistic insight into the matrix protein import into peroxisomes.

Peroxisome biogenesis in mammalian cells

To investigate peroxisome assembly and human peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) such as Zellweger syndrome, thirteen different complementation groups (CGs) of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants defective in peroxisome biogenesis have been isolated and established as a model research system. Successful gene-cloning studies by a forward genetic approach utilized a rapid functional complementation assay of CHO cell mutants led to isolation of human peroxin (PEX) genes. Search for pathogenic genes responsible for PBDs of all 14 CGs is now completed together with the homology search by screening the human expressed sequence tag database using yeast PEX genes. Peroxins are divided into three groups: (1) peroxins including Pex3p, Pex16p, and Pex19p, are responsible for peroxisome membrane biogenesis via classes I and II pathways; (2) peroxins that function in matrix protein import; (3) those such as three forms of Pex11p, Pex11pα, Pex11pβ, and Pex11pγ, are involved in peroxisome proliferation where DLP1, Mff, and Fis1 coordinately function. In membrane assembly, Pex19p forms complexes in the cytosol with newly synthesized PMPs including Pex16p and transports them to the receptor Pex3p, whereby peroxisomal membrane is formed (Class I pathway). Pex19p likewise forms a complex with newly made Pex3p and translocates it to the Pex3p receptor, Pex16p (Class II pathway). In matrix protein import, newly synthesized proteins harboring peroxisome targeting signal type 1 or 2 are recognized by Pex5p or Pex7p in the cytoplasm and are imported to peroxisomes via translocation machinery. In regard to peroxisome-cytoplasmic shuttling of Pex5p, Pex5p initially targets to an 800-kDa docking complex consisting of Pex14p and Pex13p and then translocates to a 500-kDa RING translocation complex. At the terminal step, Pex1p and Pex6p of the AAA family mediate the export of Pex5p, where Cys-ubiquitination of Pex5p is essential for the Pex5p exit.

Molecular Mechanisms of Import of Peroxisome-targeting Signal Type 2 (PTS2) Proteins by PTS2 Receptor Pex7p and PTS1 Receptor Pex5pL

In the present study, we investigated molecular mechanisms underlying the import of peroxisome-targeting signal type 2 (PTS2) proteins into peroxisomes. Purified Chinese hamster Pex7p that had been expressed in an Sf9/baculovirus system was biologically active in several assays such as those for PTS2 binding and assessing the restoration of the impaired PTS2 protein import in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) pex7 mutant ZPG207. Pex7p was eluted as a monomer in gel filtration chromatography. Moreover, the mutation of the highly conserved cysteine residue suggested to be involved in the dimer formation did not affect the complementing activity in ZPG207 cells. Together, Pex7p more likely functions as a monomer. Together with PTS1 protein, the Pex7p-PTS2 protein complex was bound to Pex5pL, the longer form of Pex5p, which was prerequisite for the translocation of Pex7p-PTS2 protein complexes. Pex5pL-(Pex7p-PTS2 protein) complexes were detectable in wild-type CHO-K1 cells and were apparently more stable in pex14 CHO cells deficient in the entry site of the matrix proteins, whereas only the Pex7p-PTS2 protein complex was discernible in a Pex5pL-defective pex5 CHO mutant. Pex7p-PTS2 proteins bound to Pex14p via Pex5pL. In contrast, PTS2 protein-bound Pex7p as well as Pex7p directly and equally interacted with Pex13p, implying that the PTS2 cargo may be released at Pex13p. Furthermore, we detected the Pex13p complexes likewise formed with Pex5pL-bound Pex7p-PTS2 proteins. Thus, the Pex7p-mediated PTS2 protein import shares most of the steps with the Pex5p-dependent PTS1 import machinery but is likely distinct at the cargo-releasing stage.

AWP1/ZFAND6 Functions in Pex5 Export by Interacting with Cys‐Monoubiquitinated Pex5 and Pex6 AAA ATPase

During biogenesis of the peroxisome, a subcellular organelle, the peroxisomal‐targeting signal 1 (PTS1) receptor Pex5 functions as a shuttling receptor for PTS1‐containing peroxisomal matrix proteins. However, the precise mechanism of receptor shuttling between peroxisomes and cytosol remains elusive despite the identification of numerous peroxins involved in this process. Herein, a new factor was isolated by a combination of biochemical fractionation and an in vitro Pex5 export assay, and was identified as AWP1/ZFAND6, a ubiquitin‐binding NF‐κB modulator. In the in vitro Pex5 export assay, recombinant AWP1 stimulated Pex5 export and an anti‐AWP1 antibody interfered with Pex5 export. AWP1 interacted with Pex6 AAA ATPase, but not with Pex1–Pex6 complexes. Preferential binding of AWP1 to the cysteine‐ubiquitinated form of Pex5 rather than to unmodified Pex5 was mediated by the AWP1 A20 zinc‐finger domain. Inhibition of AWP1 by RNA interference had a significant effect on PTS1‐protein import into peroxisomes. Furthermore, in AWP1 knock‐down cells, Pex5 stability was decreased, similar to fibroblasts from patients defective in Pex1, Pex6 and Pex26, all of which are required for Pex5 export. Taken together, these results identify AWP1 as a novel cofactor of Pex6 involved in the regulation of Pex5 export during peroxisome biogenesis.

In vitro import of peroxisome-targeting signal type 2 (PTS2) receptor Pex7p into peroxisomes.

Pex7p, the peroxisome-targeting signal type 2 (PTS2) receptor, transports PTS2 proteins to peroxisomes from the cytosol. We here established a cell-free Pex7p translocation system. In assays using post-nuclear supernatant fractions each from wild-type CHO-K1 and pex7 ZPG207 cells, 35S-labeled Pex7p was imported into peroxisomes. 35S-Pex7p import was also evident using rat liver peroxisomes. 35S-Pex7p was not imported into peroxisomal remnants from a pex5 ZPG231 defective in PTS2 import and pex2 Z65. When the import of 35S-Pex5pL was inhibited with an excess amount of recombinant Pex5pS, 35S-Pex7p import was concomitantly abrogated, suggesting that Pex5pL was a transporter for Pex7p, unlike a yeast cochaperone, Pex18p. 35S-Pex7p as well as 35S-Pex5p was imported in an ATP-independent manner, whilst the import of PTS1 and PTS2 cargo-proteins was ATP-dependent. Thereby, ATP-independent import of Pex7p implicated that Pex5p export requiring ATP hydrolysis is not a limiting step for its cargo recruitment to peroxisomes. PTS1 protein import was indeed insensitive to N-ethylmaleimide, whereas Pex5p export was N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive. Taken together, the cargo-protein translocation through peroxisomal membrane more likely involves another ATP-requiring step in addition to the Pex5p export. Moreover, upon concurrent import into peroxisomes, 35S-Pex5pL and 35S-Pex7p were detected at mutually distinct ratios in the immunoprecipitates each of the import machinery peroxins including Pex14p, Pex13p, and Pex2p, hence suggesting that Pex7p as well as Pex5p translocated from the initial docking complex to RING complex on peroxisomes.

Isotope effect in heat of transport of H, D and T in Nb

Abstract The thermal diffusion of hydrogen isotopes, H and D, in Nb was studied at an average temperature of 168°C. By analyzing the redistribution of hydrogen in Nb on the basis of the irreversible thermodynamics, the heat of transport Q∗ was determined for H and D as 9.5 kJ/mol and 16.0 kJ/mol, respectively. The large isotope dependence of Q∗ was concluded by comparing these values with the value of 18.8 kJ/mol for T, which was previously reported by the present authors. The diffusion coefficients of H and D were also determined from the transient process of redistribution and found to be in good agreement with those based on the Gorsky effect.

Thermal diffusion of tritium in Nb metal

Abstract Thermal diffusion phenomena of tritium in Nb metal are studied for temperatures between 100°–300°C. Some special types of apparatus and samples are developed to determine the distribution of tritium in the transient state of the thermal diffusion. By least squares fitting of the experimental data to the theoretical curve based on irreversible thermodynamics, the heat of transport, Q∗, and the diffusion coefficient, D, of tritium at an average temperature of 200°C are determined to be 18.0 kJ/mol and 1.6 x 10−5 cm2/sec, respectively. The importance of the thermal diffusion phenomena is discussed in connection with tritium permeation through the first wall of a nuclear fusion reactor.

The VDAC2-BAK axis regulates peroxisomal membrane permeability

Peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are fatal genetic diseases consisting of 14 complementation groups (CGs). We previously isolated a peroxisome-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant, ZP114, which belongs to none of these CGs. Using a functional screening strategy, VDAC2 was identified as rescuing the peroxisomal deficiency of ZP114 where VDAC2 expression was not detected. Interestingly, knockdown of BAK or overexpression of the BAK inhibitors BCL-XL and MCL-1 restored peroxisomal biogenesis in ZP114 cells. Although VDAC2 is not localized to the peroxisome, loss of VDAC2 shifts the localization of BAK from mitochondria to peroxisomes, resulting in peroxisomal deficiency. Introduction of peroxisome-targeted BAK harboring the Pex26p transmembrane region into wild-type cells resulted in the release of peroxisomal matrix proteins to cytosol. Moreover, overexpression of BAK activators PUMA and BIM permeabilized peroxisomes in a BAK-dependent manner. Collectively, these findings suggest that BAK plays a role in peroxisomal permeability, similar to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization.

Defective lipid remodeling of GPI anchors in peroxisomal disorders, Zellweger syndrome and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata

Many cell surface proteins in mammalian cells are anchored to the plasma membrane via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). The predominant form of mammalian GPI contains 1-alkyl-2-acyl phosphatidylinositol (PI), which is generated by lipid remodeling from diacyl PI. The conversion of diacyl PI to 1-alkyl-2-acyl PI occurs in the ER at the third intermediate in the GPI biosynthetic pathway. This lipid remodeling requires the alkyl-phospholipid biosynthetic pathway in peroxisome. Indeed, cells defective in dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) or alkyl-DHAP synthase express only the diacyl form of GPI-anchored proteins. A defect in the alkyl-phospholipid biosynthetic pathway causes a peroxisomal disorder, rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), and defective biogenesis of peroxisomes causes Zellweger syndrome, both of which are lethal genetic diseases with multiple clinical phenotypes such as psychomotor defects, mental retardation, and skeletal abnormalities. Here, we report that GPI lipid remodeling is defective in cells from patients with Zellweger syndrome having mutations in the peroxisomal biogenesis factors PEX5, PEX16, and PEX19 and in cells from patients with RCDP types 1, 2, and 3 caused by mutations in PEX7, DHAP-AT, and alkyl-DHAP synthase, respectively. Absence of the 1-alkyl-2-acyl form of GPI-anchored proteins might account for some of the complex phenotypes of these two major peroxisomal disorders.