Peroxisomal palmityl CoA oxidase activity in ocular tissues and cultured ciliary epithelial cells

The activity of palmityl CoA oxidase, a peroxisomal enzyme, was determined in bovine ocular tissues. Significant levels of activity were found in the iris, ciliary body and pigmented epithelium-choroid but little or no activity was detected in the corneal epithelium, lens capsule-epithelium and retina. Treatment of bovine ciliary epithelial cells with clofibric acid for 72 hours in culture resulted in a several fold enhancement of palmityl CoA oxidase activity. These results suggest that peroxisomal enzymes can be induced in uveal tissues when peroxisome proliferation is stimulated by certain drugs in these tissues.