Identification and functional characterization of Trypanosoma brucei peroxin 16

Protozoan parasites of the family Trypanosomatidae infect humans as well as livestock causing devastating diseases like sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and Leishmaniasis. These parasites compartmentalize glycolytic enzymes within unique organelles, the glycosomes. Glycosomes represent a subclass of peroxisomes and they are essential for the parasite survival. Hence, disruption of glycosome biogenesis is an attractive drug target for these Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Peroxin 16 (PEX16) plays an essential role in peroxisomal membrane protein targeting and de novo biogenesis of peroxisomes from endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We identified trypanosomal PEX16 based on specific sequence characteristics and demonstrate that it is an integral glycosomal membrane protein of procyclic and bloodstream form trypanosomes. RNAi mediated partial knockdown of Trypanosoma brucei PEX16 in bloodstream form trypanosomes led to severe ATP depletion, motility defects and cell death. Microscopic and biochemical analysis revealed drastic reduction in glycosome number and mislocalization of the glycosomal matrix enzymes to the cytosol. Asymmetry of the localization of the remaining glycosomes was observed with a severe depletion in the posterior part. The results demonstrate that trypanosomal PEX16 is essential for glycosome biogenesis and thereby, provides a potential drug target for sleeping sickness and related diseases.