Biogenesis and function of peroxisomes and glycosomes

Peroxisomes of higher eukaryotes, glycosomes of kinetoplastids. and glyoxys omes of plants are related microbody organelles that perform differing meta bolic functions tailored to their cellular environments. The close evolutio nary relationship of these organelles is most clearly evidenced by the cons ervation of proteins involved in matrix protein import and biogenesis. The glycosome can be viewed as an offshoot of the peroxisomal lineage with addi tional metabolic functions, specifically glycolysis and purine salvage. Wit hin the parasitic protozoa. only kinetoplastids have been conclusively demo nstrated to possess glycosomes or indeed any peroxisome-like organelle. The importance of glycosomal pathways and their compartmentation emphasizes th e potential of the glycosome and glycosomal proteins as drug targets. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.