Metabolic aspects of glycosomes in trypanosomatidae - New data and views

The energy metabolism of Trypanosomatidae has been the subject of many revi ews during the past decade. In recent years, however, new data have led to a more complete picture of trypanosomatid metabolism and a reappraisal of t he role of some characteristic organelles in the energy supply of these par asites. For years, the glycosome was thought to be a peroxisome-like organe lle that had evolved to allow the parasites to carry out glycolysis at a hi gh rate using a relatively small amount of enzyme. However, the results of recent studies of trypanosomatid glycolysis and the detection of various ot her pathways and enzymes in the organelle necessitate a modification of thi s view. Here, Paul Michels, Veronique Hannaert and Frederic Bringaud review the new data and discuss the possible implications for our view on the rol e of the glycosome*.