PEX11β and FIS1 cooperate in peroxisome division independent of Mitochondrial Fission Factor

Abstract

Peroxisome membrane dynamics and division are essential to adapt the peroxisomal compartment to cellular needs. The peroxisomal membrane protein PEX11β, and the tail-anchored adaptor proteins FIS1 (mitochondrial fission protein 1) and MFF (mitochondrial fission factor), which recruit the fission GTPase DRP1 (dynamin-related protein 1) to both peroxisomes and mitochondria, are key factors of peroxisomal division. The current model suggests MFF is essential for peroxisome division, whereas the role of FIS1 is unclear. Here, we reveal that PEX11β can promote peroxisome division in the absence of MFF in a DRP1- and FIS1-dependent manner. We also demonstrate that MFF permits peroxisome division independent of PEX11β and restores peroxisome morphology in PEX11β-deficient patient cells. Moreover, targeting of PEX11β to mitochondria induces mitochondrial division indicating the potential for PEX11β to modulate mitochondrial dynamics. Our findings suggest the existence of an alternative, MFF-independent pathway in peroxisome division and report a function for FIS1 in peroxisome division.