Peroxisomal fatty acid α- and β-oxidation in humans: enzymology, peroxisomal metabolite transporters and peroxisomal diseases

Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles with an indispensable role in cellular metabolism. The importance of peroxisomes for humans is stressed by the existence of a group of genetic diseases in humans in which there is an impairment in one or more peroxisomal functions. Most of these functions have to do with lipid metabolism including the α and β-oxidation of fatty acids. Here we describe the current state of knowledge about peroxisomal fatty acid α- and β-oxidation with particular emphasis on the following: (1) the substrates β-oxidized in peroxisomes; (2) the enzymology of the α- and β-oxidation systems; (3) the permeability properties of the peroxisomal membrane and the role of the different transporters therein; (4) the interaction with other subcellular compartments, including the mitochondria, which are the ultimate site of NADH reoxidation and full degradation of acetyl-CoA to CO₂ and water; and (5) the different disorders of peroxisomal α- and β-oxidation.