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Background
Peroxisomes are organelles that contain enzymes involved
in many aspects of lipid metabolism. The homeostasis
of peroxisomes is tightly controlled by maintaining
the balance between biogenesis and degradation. Only
recently have the mechanisms involved in the selective
degradation of peroxisomes by autophagy-related pathways
(pexophagy) been elucidated and described. While peroxisome
degradation is related to the better characterized autophagic
processes, there are genes unique to pexophagy that
may provide opportunities to adjust the homeostasis
of this organelle, particularly in plants and fungi.
Many plant species are susceptible to pathogenic fungi,
including much of the world’s food crops. An economically
important example is rice, 20-30% of which is susceptible
to just one type of fungus.
Technology
UCSD researchers have discovered that overexpression
of a cytosolic protein will target peroxisomes for degradation
by pexophagy. Controlled overexpression of this protein
may provide the ability to modulate or halt fungal infections
that have severe consequences in plants of economic
importance. Although the sequence of the protein, now
called pexophagin or Atg30, was previously described,
its function was unknown. Recent studies have uncovered
a role for this protein in pexophagy in two species
of yeast.
Stage of Development
This is an early stage invention that has elucidated
the role of pexophagy in pexophagy in Pichia pastoris
and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Work is continuing to
verify functionality in other species. Mechanisms for
role of this protein in micropexophagy and macropexophagy
have been proposed and are being investigated in further
detail.
The researcher will be happy to consider research support
to continue confirmation and validation in plant models
such as Arabidopsis.
Commercial Application and Advantages
May provide the opportunity to control pathogenicity
of fungal infections solely or in conjunction with chemical
fungicides
Related Information
Peroxisome turnover by micropexophagy: an autophagy-related
process; Farre and Subramani in TRENDS in Cell Biology;
Vol. 14, No. 9 September 2004ß
Web Site: Peroxisome Biogenesis and
Degradation: http://www.biology.ucsd.edu/labs/subramani
Case No: SD2006-225
Inquiries To: invent@ucsd.edu
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