Glycosomes: A comprehensive view of their metabolic roles in T. brucei

Abstract

Peroxisomes are single-membrane cellular organelles, present in most eukaryotic cells and organisms from human to yeast, fulfilling essential metabolic functions in lipid metabolism, free radical detoxification, differentiation, development, morphogenesis, etc. Interestingly, the protozoan parasite species Trypanosoma contains peroxisome-like organelles named glycosomes, which lack hallmark peroxisomal pathways and enzymes, such as catalase. Glycosomes are the only peroxisome-like organelles containing most enzymatic steps of the glycolytic pathway as well as enzymes of pyrimidine biosynthesis, purine salvage and biosynthesis of nucleotide sugars. We present here an overview of the glycosomal metabolic peculiarities together with the current view of the raison d'être of this unique metabolic peroxisomal sequestration.

Keywords: ATP/ADP and NAD/NADH glycosomal balances; Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis; Glycosome; Peroxisome-like organelle; Purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis.