Module 4: Protein targeting Flashcards
Characteristics of peroxisome
- Bound by single membrane
- Responsible for oxidative and synthetic reactions in the cell.
- Does not have its own genetic information (i.e. genome).
- Reproduction by fission
Where is the protein catalase located in the peroxisome?
In the peroxisome, there are dense regions called protein aggregates which is almost exclusively composed of a protein called catalase.
Role of peroxisome in animal cells
cholesterol synthesis
Role of peroxisome in nerve cells
synthesize plasmalogen for cell membranes
Role of peroxisome in liver cells
site of oxidation of toxins (ex. alcohol)
Role of peroxisome in plant cells
convert fatty acids to carbohydrates which will then power seedling germination
Major function of peroxisome in all cells
breakdown of very long chain fatty acids through beta oxidation
What role does fatty acids serve in the body?
energy source
What is the unfortunate by-product of fatty acid metabolism by peroxisome?
hydrogen peroxide
Function of catalase
converts the toxic hydrogen peroxide into non-toxic oxygen and water molecules.
The abundance of catalase serves as a visual marker for peroxisomes in the cell
Advantage of using fluorescence over TEM
Fluorescence allows us to look a living cells
How are peroxisomes formed?
Through the division and incorporation of new proteins (division occurs through a process called fission)
Describe how peroxisomes are formed in detail.
- Peroxisomal proteins are synthesized in cytosol and then transported to peroxisome.
- Peroxisomal membrane proteins join precursor membrane to create a peroxisomal ghost.
- Once membrane proteins are present, they are used to transport peroxisomal matrix proteins (ex. catalase) into interior of its organelle.
- As more proteins are synthesized, the peroxisome can grow and new peroxisomes can form by a process called fission.
Luciferase
- an enzyme that serves as an excellent model for deciphering the mechanism of peroxisomal protein transport
- enzyme that allows bioluminescence that we see in fireflies
- found in peroxisomes of cells in the abdomen
What was the conclusion derived from the study in which luciferase was expressed in mammalian cells?
The luciferase went into the peroxisome of mammalian cells telling us that pathways for protein transport to peroxisome are conserved in fireflies to mammals.
Five rules for protein transport
- A signal sequence is on transported protein
- Receptor for that signal sequence is on target organelle
- Translocation channel is required to get the protein across membrane into organelle
- There is a requirement for energy at some step in the process.
- Needs to be a way of targeting a protein to specific and different locations within organelle
PTS1
- stands for perioxsomal-transport sequence 1
- signal sequence that was identified in luciferase and in many peroxisomal proteins in different species
- consists of tripeptide: serine, lysine and leucine or can be called SKL
- found at C-terminus of translated protein
Is PTS1 necessary for transport of proteins into peroxisome?
Yes
Is PTS1 sufficient to direct a protein in the peroxisome?
Yes
Pex5
- cytosolic protein that acts as a receptor and to the PTS1 sequence at the C-terminus of the target protein
- contains 7 TPR motifs that together form a PTS1 binding pocket
Wha makes up a TPR motfi?
two alpha helices and a loop
Can Pex5 bring the protein to the peroxisomal membrane on its own?
No it must associate with transmembrane Pex14 protein
How does the peroxisomal protein on the surface of the membrane get into the organelle?
It uses a translocation channel. There are two proteins that can form this channel.
Does Pex 14 have any other function than recognition for Pex5?
Yes. It forms a translocon channel that transports Pex5 with target protein into peroxisomal matrix. Pex5 then releases peroxisomal matrix protein and Pex5 is recycled back out of cytosol to be reused.