Researchers at Rice University have identified the role of the ‘PEX11’ protein in controlling the size of peroxisomes. Using CRISPR technology, they studied five genes associated with the PEX11 protein. This research is expected to enhance understanding of diseases related to peroxisomes in human cells and open new avenues in bioengineering. April 26, Kathmandu.
During the early stages when seeds germinate into plants, the plant cannot perform photosynthesis to produce food from sunlight, relying entirely on stored fatty acids within itself. Within plant cells, a specialized structure called the ‘peroxisome’ converts these fats into energy. According to the Rice University researchers, this structure is also present in human cells, and because plant cells are larger, they offer an easier study model.
Led by Professor Bonnie Bartel, the research revealed that a small protein called PEX11 plays a crucial role in regulating peroxisome size. Published in Nature Communications, the study shows that this protein not only assists peroxisome division but also prevents unnecessary expansion during the early stages of plant development.
Researcher Nathan Tharp utilized CRISPR technology to study five different genes related to the PEX11 protein. The investigation revealed that when these genes are nonfunctional, the small vesicles within the peroxisome fail to form. Under normal conditions, these vesicles absorb fragments of the peroxisome’s outer membrane to maintain its size balance. The significance of this research extends beyond plants to humans and other species. Scientists found that when a similar protein found in mice was inserted into mutated plant cells, those cells returned to their normal state. This demonstrates that the functions of this protein have been conserved and evolved uniformly across millions of years in various species.
