Peroxisome development in yeast is associated with the formation of Pex3-dependent peroxisome-vacuole contact sites

Publication date: Available online 1 September 2018Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell ResearchAuthor(s): Huala Wu, Rinse de Boer, Arjen M. Krikken, Arman Akşit, Yuan Wei, Ida J. van der KleiAbstractUsing electron and fluorescence microscopy techniques, we identified various physical contacts between peroxisomes and other cell organelles in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha.In exponential glucose-grown cells, which typically contain a single small peroxisome, contacts were only observed with the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane. Here we focus on a novel peroxisome-vacuole contact site that is formed when glucose-grown cells are shifted to methanol containing media, conditions that induce strong peroxisome development. At these conditions, the small peroxisomes rapidly increase in size, a phenomenon that is paralleled by the formation of distinct intimate contacts with the vacuole.Localization studies showed that the peroxin Pex3 accumulated in patches at the peroxisome-vacuole contact sites. In wild-type cells growing exponentially on medium containing glucose, peroxisome-vacuole contact sites were never observed. However, upon overproduction of Pex3 peroxisomes also associated to vacuoles at these growth conditions.Our observations strongly suggest a role for Pex3 in the formation of a novel peroxisome-vacuole contact site. This contact likely plays a role in membrane growth as it is formed solely at conditions of strong peroxisome expansi...
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Molecular Cell Research - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research