Evidence for a novel pathway for the targeting of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisomal protein belonging to the isomerase/hydratase family.

We, and others, have identified a novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisomal protein that belongs to the isomerase/hydratase family. The protein, named Dci1p, shares 50% identity with Eci1p, a delta(3)-cis-delta(2)-trans-enoyl-CoA isomerase that acts as an auxiliary enzyme in the beta-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. Both of these proteins are localized to peroxisomes, and both contain motifs at their amino- and carboxyl termini that resemble peroxisome targeting signals (PTS) 1 and 2. However, we demonstrate that the putative type 1 signaling motif is not required for the peroxisomal localization of either of these proteins. Furthermore, the correct targeting of Eci1p and Dci1p occurs in the absence of the receptors for the type 1 or type 2 peroxisome targeting pathway. Together, these data suggest a novel mechanism for the intracellular targeting of these peroxisomal proteins.