GLUCONEOGENESIS AND THE PEROXISOME

In this article, the capabilities of peroxisomal involvement in the gl uconeogenetic processes of vertebrate animals are reviewed in the ligh t of recent findings on peroxisomal metabolism and proliferation. It i s demonstrated that the participation of this organelle affords the po tential of alternative pathways for the conversion of triacylglycerols to glucose, and for the conversion of amino acids and lactate to carb ohydrate. Of interest in this connection, too, is that glyoxylate may act as a key intermediate in the gluconeogenetic functions of peroxiso mes in both plants and animals. In addition, a close connection betwee n peroxisomal function and the hormonal control of gluconeogenesis has been described, with these interrelationships extending to the associ ated phenomena of cellular signalling, gene expression, peroxisomal pr oliferation, and the function of insulin-like growth factors. The meta bolic advantages of some of these alternative pathways for gluconeogen esis have been detailed, and suggestions made for the further testing of their quantitative relativities.