The methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha contains an inducible import pathway for peroxisomal matrix proteins with an N-terminal targeting signal (PTS2 proteins).

Two main types of peroxisomal targeting signals have been identified that reside either at the extreme C terminus (PTS1) or the N terminus (PTS2) of the protein. In the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha the majority of peroxisomal matrix proteins are of the PTS1 type. Thus far, for H. polymorpha only amine oxidase (AMO) has been shown to contain a PTS2 type signal. In the present study we expressed H. polymorpha AMO under control of the strong endogenous alcohol oxidase promoter. Partial import of AMO into peroxisomes was observed in cells grown in methanol/(NH4)2SO4-containing medium. However, complete import of AMO occurred if the cells were grown under conditions that induce expression of the endogenous AMO gene. Similar results were obtained when the heterologous PTS2 proteins, glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase from watermelon and thiolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were synthesized in H. polymorpha. The import of PTS1 proteins, however, was not affected by the growth conditions. These results indicate that the reduced rate of AMO import in (NH4)2SO4-grown cells is not due to competition with PTS1 proteins for the same import pathway. Apparently, AMO is imported via a separate pathway that is induced by amines and functions for PTS2 proteins in general.