Peroxisomes: Organization and Transport in Neurons

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous, single-membrane enclosed organelles found in most eukaryotes. In humans, they are abundant in the brain, heart, kidney, and liver. They house enzymes involved in many lipid metabolic pathways, such as the oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids, bile acid intermediates, 2- and 3-methyl-branched fatty acids, and. l-pipecolic acid, as well as in plasmalogen synthesis. The importance of this organelle is emphasized by the fact that peroxisome biogenesis is essential for survival in mammals. Interestingly, many of the human peroxisome biogenesis disorders present as neurological problems, and among the many symptoms observed is a neuronal migration defect. This article provides a brief summary of the role of peroxisomes in neurons, their mode of movement in mammals, and diseases associated with defects in neuronal migration.