Abstract
Catalase is a tetrameric heme-containing enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of H2O2 to water and oxygen in peroxisomes. We have already reported that an internal sequence, Q-K-L, at the positions -13 to -11 from the C-terminus was essential for targeting to peroxisomes, and the N-terminus region of the internal sequence Q-K-L was also necessary for the import of catalase to peroxisomes. The folded structure on the region containing the internal sequence may be important for the import. Catalase binds heme at the N-terminus region. Here, we report that the capacity of heme-binding is required for the import of catalase into peroxisomes. We are investigating the relationship between the heme-binding, and folding structure of catalase on transport to peroxisomes, to clarify the import mechanism of catalase into peroxisomes.
