Biogenesis and function of peroxisomes in parasitic protists

Peroxisomes are found in majority of eukaryotes and possibly originate from the last eukaryotic common ancestor, as the proteins involved in their biogenesis are highly conserved. Enzymatic content of peroxisomes is highly diverse and their metabolic activity may vary depending on the cell type. Metabolically, peroxisomes interact with mitochondria and these organelles are functionally linked. Peroxisomes in unicellular eukaryotes are very diverse. The peroxisomes in kinetoplastids are named glycosomes because they contain several glycolic enzymes. The loss of peroxisomes occurs in certain representatives of Alveolata, and peroxisomes are entirely absent in Metamonada group. Anaerobic peroxisomes were found in Archamoebidae. They are metabolically quite distinct from their aerobic counterparts. The properties of these peroxisomes are related to the lifestyle of these protists. This work briefly summarizes information regarding the biogenesis of peroxisomes and their functions, their functional connection with mitochondria and then provide characteristics of peroxisomes in selected protists