Open AccessPeroxisomes and free radical production: cell aging
Author(s) -
Nancy Vargas-Mendoza,
Jeannett A. Izquierdo-Vega,
Eduardo Osiris Madrigal Santillán,
Manuel Sánchez-Gutiérez
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
mexican journal of medical research icsa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2007-5235
DOI - 10.29057/mjmr.v2i3.1799
Subject(s) - peroxisome , organelle , antioxidant , oxidative stress , biochemistry , radical , microbiology and biotechnology , free radical theory of aging , enzyme , chemistry , oxidative phosphorylation , biology , gene
Peroxisomes are cellular organelles present in the eukaryotic cells that are responsible for detoxification processes such as oxidation of fatty acids, biosynthesis of glycerolipids and isoprenoids, among others. Due to the number of functions which they carry out, they are conditioned to an elevated production of free radicals (FR), for which they have a sophisticated antioxidant system consisting of enzymes that can neutralize free radical molecules. The importance of peroxisomes in the development of age-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease has been reported recently. In this paper, we review briefly these organelles, treating aspects such as their evolution, functions and the role they play in oxidative stress processes associated with aging.