Gluconeogenesis and the peroxisome.

In this article, the capabilities of peroxisomal involvement in the gluconeogenetic processes of vertebrate animals are reviewed in the light of recent findings on peroxisomal metabolism and proliferation. It is demonstrated that the participation of this organelle affords the potential of alternative pathways for the conversion of triacylglycerols to glucose, and for the conversion of amino acids and lactate to carbohydrate. Of interest in this connection, too, is that glyoxylate may act as a key intermediate in the gluconeogenetic functions of peroxisomes in both plants and animals. In addition, a close connection between peroxisomal function and the hormonal control of gluconeogenesis has been described, with these interrelationships extending to the associated phenomena of cellular signalling, gene expression, peroxisomal proliferation, and the function of insulin-like growth factors. The metabolic advantages of some of these alternative pathways for gluconeogenesis have been detailed, and suggestions made for the further testing of their quantitative relativities.