Published online Nov 26, 2015. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v6.i4.301
Peer-review started: January 22, 2015
First decision: March 6, 2015
Revised: June 30, 2015
Accepted: August 10, 2015
Article in press: August 11, 2015
Published online: November 26, 2015
Processing time: 305 Days and 15.9 Hours
Mitochondria and peroxisomes are small ubiquitous organelles. They both play major roles in cell metabolism, especially in terms of fatty acid metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and ROS scavenging, and it is now clear that they metabolically interact with each other. These two organelles share some properties, such as great plasticity and high potency to adapt their form and number according to cell requirements. Their functions are connected, and any alteration in the function of mitochondria may induce changes in peroxisomal physiology. The objective of this paper was to highlight the interconnection and the crosstalk existing between mitochondria and peroxisomes. Special emphasis was placed on the best known connections between these organelles: origin, structure, and metabolic interconnections.
Core tip: The goal of this review was to highlight the links between mitochondria and peroxisomes in terms of dynamic and metabolism. This review of the literature shows that these two organelles, even if they derive from distinct ancestors, share several common functions and coordinate their activities. The division of peroxisomes and mitochondria uses similar mechanisms, and autophagic processes are used to limit the number of both organelles. The metabolic implication of mitochondria and peroxisomes in fatty acid metabolism is remarkable, as these organelles use closely-related pathways for oxidizing fatty acid, but with different metabolic goals. All together, the available data suggest a major interconnection between these organelles.