[Clinical biochemical and genetic aspects of peroxisome-deficient disorders]

Peroxisome-deficient disorders including Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy and infantile Refsum disease are characterized by hypotonia, psychomotor delay, hepatomegaly and dysmorphism. Multiple peroxisomal enzymes are deficient in these disorders probably due to the defect of transport machinery of enzymes. Defects of beta-oxidation enzymes causes an accumulation of very-long-chain fatty acids, which is closely related to the pathogenesis. Catalase, a marker enzyme of peroxisome, is distributed in the cytosol. Immunocytochemical staining of peroxisomes using anti-catalase is a useful tool for prenatal and postnatal diagnosis. Although the primary etiology of peroxisomal deficiency has not been determined, genetic heterogeneity was clarified by complementation studies. At least 8 genes are involved in the formation of functional peroxisomes.