Peroxisomes and cancer: The role of a metabolic specialist in a disease of aberrant metabolism

Publication date: Available online 6 August 2018Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Reviews on CancerAuthor(s): Michael S. Dahabieh, Erminia Di Pietro, Maïka Jangal, Christophe Goncalves, Michael Witcher, Nancy E. Braverman, Sonia V. del RincónAbstractCancer is irrevocably linked to aberrant metabolic processes. While once considered a vestigial organelle, we now know that peroxisomes play a central role in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species, bile acids, ether phospholipids (e.g. plasmalogens), very-long chain, and branched-chain fatty acids. Immune system evasion is a hallmark of cancer, and peroxisomes have an emerging role in the regulation of cellular immune responses. Investigations of individual peroxisome proteins and metabolites support their pro-tumorigenic functions. However, a significant knowledge gap remains regarding how individual functions of proteins and metabolites of the peroxisome orchestrate its potential role as a pro-tumorigenic organelle. This review highlights new advances in our understanding of biogenesis, enzymatic functions, and autophagic degradation of peroxisomes (pexophagy), and provides evidence linking these activities to tumorigenesis. Finally, we propose avenues that may be exploited to target peroxisome-related processes as a mode of combatting cancer.Graphical abstract
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Reviews on Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research