Regulation of peroxisomal matrix protein import by ubiquitination

Peroxisomes are organelles that play an important role in many cellular tasks. The functionality of peroxisomes depends on the proper import of their matrix proteins. Peroxisomal matrix proteins are imported posttranslationally in a folded, sometimes even oligomeric state. They harbor a peroxisomal targeting sequence (PTS), which is recognized by dynamic PTS-receptors in the cytosol. The PTS-receptors ferry the cargo to the peroxisomal membrane, where they become part of a transient import pore and then release the cargo into the peroxisomal lumen. Subsequentially, the PTS-receptors are ubiquitinated in order to mark them for the export-machinery, which releases them back to the cytosol. Upon deubiquitination, the PTS-receptors can facilitate further rounds of cargo import. Because the ubiquitination of the receptors is an essential step in the import cycle, it also represents a central regulatory element that governs peroxisomal dynamics. In this review we want to give an introduction to the functional role played by ubiquitination during peroxisomal protein import and highlight the mechanistic concepts that have emerged based on data derived from different species since the discovery of the first ubiquitinated peroxin 15 years ago. Moreover, we discuss future tasks and the potential of using advanced technologies for investigating further details of peroxisomal protein transport. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Peroxisomes edited by Ralf Erdmann.