Peroxisomal protein import pores.
Peroxisomal protein import is essentially different to the translocation of proteins into other organelles. The molecular mechanisms by which completely folded or even oligomerized proteins cross the peroxisomal membrane remain to be disclosed. The identification of a water-filled pore that is mainly constituted by Pex5 and Pex14 led to the assumption that proteins are translocated through a large, probably transient, protein-conducting channel. Here, we will review the work that led to the identification of this translocation pore. In addition, we will discuss the main biophysical features of the pore and compare it with other protein–translocation channels.
Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany. Electronic address: michael.meinecke@med.uni-goettingen.de.
Michael
M
Meinecke
MOLIFE Research Center, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
Philipp
P
Bartsch
MOLIFE Research Center, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
Richard
R
Wagner
D000818:Animals; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D000074437:Peroxisomal Targeting Signal 2 Receptor; D000074435:Peroxisome-Targeting Signal 1 Receptor; D020675:Peroxisomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
C000614264:PEX5 protein, human; D000074437:Peroxisomal Targeting Signal 2 Receptor; D000074435:Peroxisome-Targeting Signal 1 Receptor; D010940:Plant Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
Channels; Peroxisomes; Protein import; Protein trafficking; Translocation pores