Sorting and function of peroxisomal membrane proteins

Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles and are present in virtually all euk aryotic cells. Characteristic features of these organelles are their induci bility and their functional versatility. Their importance in the intermedia ry metabolism of cells is exemplified by the discovery of several inborn. f atal peroxisomal errors in man, the so-called peroxisomal disorders. Recent findings in research on peroxisome biogenesis and function have demonstrat ed that peroxisomal matrix proteins and peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMPs ) follow separate pathways to reach their target organelle. This paper addr esses the principles of PMP sorting and summarizes the current knowledge of the role of these proteins in organelle biogenesis and function. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.