Control of Peroxisome Turnover

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