Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells contain a number of organelles that are essential for cell function. Peroxisomes are extremely important function and in multicellular organisms like humans, defects in the peroxisomes can lead to severe disorders like Zellweger syndrome which emphasizes their importance for the functions of both the cells and the organisms (Faust et al., 2014). In mammals, specifically humans, peroxisomes are responsible for a variety of functions, that essential for the functioning of organs, tissues and systems, like fatty acid beta-oxidation and amino acid catabolism (Wander & Waterham, 2006).

First of all, peroxisomes are responsible for fatty acid beta-oxidation. Beta-oxidation is the metabolic process in which fatty acids are converted to acetyl-CoA, acyl-CoA, and NADH (Schulz, 1991). Initially it was believed that

The organelle contains the enzymes d-amino acid oxidase, which is responsible for the oxidation of neutral and basic d-amino acids, and d-amino aspartate oxidase, which is responsible to the oxidation of acidic amino acids (Wander & Waterham, 2006). The products yielded for the oxidation of d-amino acids are keto acids, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, peroxisomes are also capable of oxidation of some l-isomers of amino acids (Wander & Waterham, 2006). For instance, l-pipecolate is an amino acid that accumulates in the tissue and body fluids of patients who either lack peroxisomes or have defects in their peroxisomes which could cause many issues and symptoms (Wander & Waterham, 2006). Peroxisomes contain the enzyme l-pipecolate oxidase which oxidizes l-pipecolate and prevents its accumulation (Wander & Waterham, 2006). In summary, the role that peroxisomes play in the the catabolism is extremely important for the functioning of tissues and organs to ensure that amino acids do not accumulate and lead to