The methanol sensor Wsc1 and MAPK Mpk1 suppress degradation of methanol-induced peroxisomes in methylotrophic yeast

ABSTRACT In nature, methanol is produced during the hydrolysis of pectin in plant cell walls. Methanol on leaves shows circadian dynamics, to which methanol-utilizing phyllosphere microorganisms adapt. methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (Kp; also known as Pichia pastoris), plasma membrane protein KpWsc1 senses environmental concentrations and transmits this information induce expression genes for metabolism formation huge peroxisomes. study, we show that its downstream MAPK, KpMpk1, negatively regulate pexophagy presence greater than 0.15%. Although KpMpk1 was not necessary methanol-inducible peroxisome biogenesis, transcription factor KpRlm1 phosphatases were found suppress by controlling phosphorylation KpAtg30, key regulation pexophagy. We reveal at molecular level how single sensor commits synthesis degradation according concentration, discuss physiological significance regulating survival phyllosphere. This article has an associated First Person interview with Shin Ohsawa, joint first author paper.