title: Fungal peroxisomes as biosynthetic organelles.
abstract: Peroxisomes are nearly ubiquitous single-membrane organelles harboring multiple metabolic pathways beside their prominent role in the β-oxidation of fatty acids. Here we review the diverse metabolic functions of peroxisomes in fungi. A variety of fungal metabolites are at least partially synthesized inside peroxisomes. These include the essential co-factor biotin but also different types of secondary metabolites. Peroxisomal metabolites are often derived from acyl-CoA esters for example β-oxidation intermediates. In several ascomycetes a subtype of peroxisomes has been identified that is metabolically inactive but is required to plug the septal pores of wounded hyphae. Thus, peroxisomes are versatile organelles that can adapt their function to the life style of an organism. This remarkable variability suggests that the full extent of the biosynthetic capacity of peroxisomes is still elusive. Moreover, in fungi peroxisomes are non-essential under laboratory conditions making them attractive organelles for biotechnological approaches and the design of novel metabolic pathways in customized peroxisomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, Marburg, Germany; LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Hans-Meerwein Str., Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stehlik
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sandrock
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ast
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, Marburg, Germany; Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, LOEWE Cluster for Integrative Fungal Research, Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Electronic address: johannesfreitag@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freitag
mesh_terms: D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways; D001709:Biotechnology; D005285:Fermentation; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D020675:Peroxisomes / Q000378:metabolism*