Apoptosis-Related Diseases and Peroxisomes

Abstract

Apoptosis is a highly regulated cell death program that can be mediated by death receptors in the plasma membrane, as well as the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Apoptosis plays a key role in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases. Peroxisomes are membrane-bound organelles occurring in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. Peroxisomes engage in a functional interplay with mitochondria. They cooperate with each other to maintain the balance of reactive oxygen species homeostasis in cells. Given the key role of mitochondria in the regulation of apoptosis, there could also be an important relationship between peroxisomes and the apoptotic process. Peroxisome dysfunction severely affects mitochondrial metabolism, cellular morphological stability, and biosynthesis, and thus contributes directly or indirectly to a number of apoptosis-related diseases. This chapter provides an overview of the concept, characteristics, inducing factors, and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, as well as evidence for apoptosis in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and discusses the important role of the peroxisome in the apoptosis-associated diseases.