Abstract
Peroxisomes contain hydrogen peroxide-forming oxidase (s) and catalase. Mammalian peroxisomes had been considered as a fossil organelle, since other important metabolism was not found. The discovery of a new fatty acid β-oxidation system in rat liver peroxisomes in 1976 revived a great deal of interest of this organelle. Biochemical features and molecular aspects of individual enzymes of this system are summarized. It has also been elucidated that peroxisomes have important roles in biosynthesis of cholesterol, bile acids, and plasmalogens. These metabolisms together with some oxidases are summarized briefly.
