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Published on: February 20, 2017
The peroxisome RING-finger complex is required for meiocyte formation in the fungus Podospora anserina
Leonardo Peraza-Reyes1, Denise Zickler, Véronique Berteaux-Lecellier
1Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS UMR8621, Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, 91405 Orsay, France.
Abstract:
Peroxisomes are involved in a variety of metabolic pathways and developmental processes. In the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina, absence of different peroxins implicated in peroxisome matrix protein import leads to different developmental defects. Lack of the RING-finger complex peroxin PEX2 blocks sexual development at the dikaryotic stage, while in absence of both receptors, PEX5 and PEX7, karyogamy and meiosis can proceed and sexual spores are formed. This suggests a complex role for PEX2 that prompted us to study the developmental involvement of the RING-finger complex. We show that, like PEX2, the two other proteins of the complex, PEX10 and PEX12, are equally implicated in peroxisome biogenesis and that absence of each or all these proteins lead to the same developmental defect. Moreover, we demonstrate that peroxisome localization of PEX2 is not drastically affected in the absence of PEX10 and PEX12 and that the upregulation of these latter RING-finger peroxins does not compensate for the lack of a second one, suggesting that the three proteins work together in development but independent of their function in peroxisome biogenesis.
Insights
The study reveals that PEX10 and PEX12, alongside PEX2, are crucial for peroxisome biogenesis and fungal development. Their coordinated action in the RING-finger complex impacts sexual development independently of their peroxisomal import function.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Mycology
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Peroxisomes are vital organelles involved in diverse metabolic functions and developmental processes.
- In Podospora anserina, peroxins (proteins regulating peroxisome function) are essential for normal development, with specific defects observed in their absence.
- The RING-finger complex, including PEX2, PEX10, and PEX12, plays a role in peroxisome matrix protein import, but its broader developmental function is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific roles of the RING-finger complex peroxins (PEX2, PEX10, PEX12) in the developmental processes of Podospora anserina.
- To determine if these proteins function collectively in development, potentially independent of their established roles in peroxisome biogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis of Podospora anserina mutants lacking individual or multiple RING-finger complex peroxins (PEX2, PEX10, PEX12).
- Assessment of peroxisome biogenesis and matrix protein import in these mutants.
- Evaluation of developmental phenotypes, particularly focusing on sexual development stages like karyogamy and meiosis.
Main Results:
- Absence of PEX2, PEX10, or PEX12 individually, or any combination thereof, results in identical developmental defects in sexual reproduction.
- These RING-finger peroxins are confirmed to be essential for peroxisome biogenesis.
- Peroxisome localization of PEX2 is not significantly impaired by the absence of PEX10 or PEX12.
- Upregulating PEX10 or PEX12 cannot rescue the developmental defect caused by the lack of another RING-finger complex member.
Conclusions:
- PEX2, PEX10, and PEX12 function together as a complex in Podospora anserina development.
- This collective role in development appears to be separate from their function in peroxisome matrix protein import.
- The RING-finger complex's involvement in development is a distinct pathway requiring the coordinated action of all three components.
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