The molecular mechanism and cellular function of interaction between oil bodies and peroxisomes

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25891029
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
• Research Institution: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: CUI Songkui 独立行政法人理化学研究所, 環境資源科学研究センター, 特別研究員 (20712532)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: oil body / peroxisome / organelle interaction / lipoysis / sucrose

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oil bodies and peroxisomes are the central players for lipolysis and sucrose production. Their physical interaction is expected to play an important role during lipid metabolism in three eukaryotic kingdoms. In this study, we found the genes that control membrane attachment between oil bodies and peroxisomes and provide the biological link between lipolysis and oil body-peroxisome interaction. We found that when the sucrose is limited in the seedlings, oil bodies and peroxisomes enhance the physical interaction through a membrane anchor protein PED3 on peroxisomal membrane that encodes a peroxisomal ABC transporter. During seed germination the genes involved in lipolysis in oil bodies and peroxisomes facilitate sucrose production to suppress their physical interaction. The finding reveal a novel mechanism where the cells use their downstream product, sucrose, as a signal to fine tune lipolysis by controlling oil bodies and peroxisomes interaction.

Free Research Field

生物学