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Aging: Peroxisomes have two independent proliferation mechanisms

Date:
May 30, 2011
Source:
University of Groningen
Summary:
Peroxisomes are cell organelles that can cause disease and aging processes if they do not function properly. Researchers have now demonstrated that peroxisomes can be created by two independent processes, one of which serves as a kind of ‘backup’.
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Peroxisomes are cell organelles that can cause disease and aging processes if they do not function properly. For the first time ever, University of Groningen researchers have demonstrated that peroxisomes can be created by two independent processes, one of which serves as a kind of 'backup'. The study was published in the 23 May issue of the Journal of Cell Biology.

Peroxisomes are cell organelles that play an important role in hydrogen peroxide and fatty acid metabolism. Impaired peroxisome function can lead to serious diseases and contributes to aging processes.

Lack of clarity

Two mechanisms by which peroxisomes proliferate are known: division of an existing peroxisome and creation of a new one by budding from another cell organelle, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). There is a lack of clarity in scientific circles regarding the status of the two mechanisms.

Independent after all

In their Journal of Cell Biology article, the Groningen researchers are the first to describe the proteins which are essential in creating peroxisomes from the ER. This discovery was subsequently used to inhibit the formation of these proteins. It transpired that when ER peroxisome production ceased, this had little or no effect on the numbers of peroxisomes present in the cell. This proved that peroxisomes are indeed independent cell organelles capable of proliferation by division, just like other important cell organelles such as mitochondria.

Backup

Formation of organelles from the ER is probably an important backup mechanism when a cell has lost all its peroxisomes. In that case, peroxisomes can be created de novo in a cell. These results are a major contribution to the debate on the importance of the ER peroxisome formation process.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Groningen. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. R. Saraya, A. M. Krikken, M. Veenhuis, I. J. van der Klei. Peroxisome reintroduction in Hansenula polymorpha requires Pex25 and Rho1. The Journal of Cell Biology, 2011; DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201012083

Cite This Page:

University of Groningen. "Aging: Peroxisomes have two independent proliferation mechanisms." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 May 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110527080153.htm>.
University of Groningen. (2011, May 30). Aging: Peroxisomes have two independent proliferation mechanisms. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110527080153.htm
University of Groningen. "Aging: Peroxisomes have two independent proliferation mechanisms." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110527080153.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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