[Dehydrogenases of the pentose cycle in rat liver peroxisomes]

Subcellular distribution of NADP+-dependent dehydrogenases of pentose phosphate pathway (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) in rat liver was studied, using differential and isopycnic centrifugation. The enzyme activity was detected in the purified peroxisomal fraction as well as in the cytosol. Both dehydrogenases are localized in the peroxisomal matrix. Administration of a hypolipidaemic drug clofibrate increases the amount of both enzymes in peroxisomes. The putative functional role of pentose phosphate cycle dehydrogenases in peroxisomes is discussed.