Peroxisomes and peroxisomal disorders: The main facts

The importance of peroxisomes for human health is highlighted by the number of peroxisomal disorders (PDs), diseases associated to peroxisome biogenesis disorders and peroxisomal enzyme/transporter deficiencies. Currently, many physiological/biosynthetic mechanisms involved in these illnesses have been elucidated, but PDs remain incurable. This review examines the most important aspects concerning peroxisomes (i.e. peroxisome proliferation, peroxisome biogenesis, metabolic functions of mammalian peroxisomes) and presents the most significant trends and advances in the study of peroxisomal disorders.