Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens
Peroxisome assembly factor 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PEX6 gene.[5][6] PEX6 is an AAA ATPase that localizes to the peroxisome. PEX6 forms a hexamer with PEX1[7][8] and is recruited to the membrane by PEX26.[9]
Function
From yeast to plants to humans, there is only one verified function of PEX6; PEX6 (and PEX1) removes PEX5 from the peroxisomal membrane so that PEX5 may do additional rounds of peroxisomal import. Human PEX6 can genetically complement plant pex6 mutants, which highlights functional conservation.[10] Work with pex6 mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana has shown that PEX6 may have a role in consuming oil body (plant-specific lipid droplets).[11] Work with yeast pex6 mutants has shown that PEX6 is a key player in the autophagy of peroxisomes called pexophagy.[12]