| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1904910 | Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease | 2012 | 5 Pages |
The peroxisome is functionally integrated into an exquisitely complex network of communicating endomembranes which is only beginning to be appreciated. Despite great advances in identifying essential components and characterizing molecular mechanisms associated with the organelle's biogenesis and function, there is a large gap in our understanding of how peroxisomes are incorporated into metabolic pathways and subcellular communication networks, how they contribute to cellular aging, and where their influence is manifested on the initiation and progression of degenerative disease. In this review, we summarize recent evidence pointing to the organelle as an important regulator of cellular redox balance with potentially far-reaching effects on cell aging and the genesis of human disease. The roles of the organelle in lipid homeostasis, anaplerotic reactions, and other critical metabolic and biochemical processes are addressed elsewhere in this volume. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metabolic Functions and Biogenesis of Peroxisomes in Health and Disease.
► Peroxisomes synthesize and degrade reactive oxygen species. ► Catalase is a critical antioxidant enzyme with a major role in cell and organismal aging. ► Supplementation of cellular catalase may impact lifespan and alter the course of degenerative disease. ► Peroxisome function and redox balance are tied to rates of aging.
