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Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are specialized organelles present in fungi, plant, and animal cells. It can vary in number, size, morphology, and activity depending on the type of tissue and the nutritional state of the cell. For example, cells with active lipid metabolism, such as adipocytes, neurons, and hepatocytes, have more peroxisomes than other cells in the body. Besides their primary role in breaking down complex organic molecules, peroxisomes can also synthesize specific macromolecules and participate in...

Peroxisomes and Mitochondria

Peroxisomes and Mitochondria

Peroxisomes and mitochondria are two important oxygen-utilizing organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria carry out cellular respiration—the process that converts energy from food into ATP. Peroxisomes carry out a variety of functions, primarily breaking down different substances, such as fatty acids.
The peroxisome is a single membrane-bound cellular organelle that can perform several different functions, including lipid metabolism and chemical detoxification. The enzymes within peroxisomes...

Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are specialized organelles present in fungi, plant, and animal cells. It can vary in number, size, morphology, and activity depending on the type of tissue and the nutritional state of the cell. For example, cells with active lipid metabolism, such as adipocytes, neurons, and hepatocytes, have more peroxisomes than other cells in the body. Besides their primary role in breaking down complex organic molecules, peroxisomes can also synthesize specific macromolecules and participate in...

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Cells contain membrane-bound organelles called peroxisomes that oxidize organic molecules by transferring hydrogen atoms to oxygen, producing hydrogen peroxide. Peroxisomes enzymatically convert the released hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
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Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Measurement of Fatty Acid β-Oxidation in a Suspension of Freshly Isolated Mouse Hepatocytes

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Published on: September 9, 2021

Peroxisomal acyl-CoA synthetases.

Paul A Watkins¹, Jessica M Ellis

¹Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA. watkins@kennedykrieger.org

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|February 28, 2012

Summary

Peroxisomes use acyl-CoA synthetases to activate lipids for metabolism. This review explores the roles of these crucial enzymes in peroxisomal lipid pathways, highlighting knowledge gaps.

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Metabolomics

Background:

Peroxisomes are vital organelles for lipid metabolism.
Acyl-CoA synthetases activate acyl groups (fatty acids, steroids) for cellular processes.
Specific peroxisomal acyl-CoA synthetases remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To review peroxisomal lipid metabolic pathways.
To examine the evidence for acyl-CoA synthetases in peroxisomes.
To discuss the functions of peroxisome-specific acyl-CoA synthetase isoforms.

Main Methods:

Literature review of peroxisomal lipid metabolism.
Analysis of existing data on acyl-CoA synthetase localization and function.
Synthesis of information on acyl-CoA synthetase isoforms in peroxisomes.

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Main Results:

Peroxisomal lipid metabolism heavily relies on acyl-CoA activation.
Only a few acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSL4, SLC27A2, SLC27A4) are confirmed as peroxisomal.
Much prior research predates the understanding of multiple acyl-CoA synthetase isoforms.

Conclusions:

Acyl-CoA synthetases are central to peroxisomal lipid metabolism.
Further research is needed to elucidate the specific roles of peroxisomal acyl-CoA synthetase isoforms.
Understanding these enzymes is key to comprehending cellular lipid homeostasis.