Peroxisomes Across Mammalian Tissues: Distribution, Metabolic Functions, and Possible Implications for Human Diseases

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous organelles surrounded by a single membrane bilayer and containing a fine granular matrix. They play essential roles in cellular metabolism, including redox homeostasis and the synthesis of important lipid and cholesterol intermediates. Although historically regarded as secondary metabolic compartments, peroxisomes are now recognized as essential and highly dynamic organelles whose abundance, enzymatic composition, and physiological roles vary among tissues and organs. Their contribution to the pathogenesis of a broad spectrum of human diseases, ranging from inherited peroxisome biogenesis disorders to common, multifactorial conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, makes peroxisomes an attractive target for biomedical research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current peroxisomal biology, with a focus on mammalian tissues such as the liver, kidney, lung, the central nervous system, cardiac and skeletal muscle, pancreas, reproductive organs, teeth and eyes. Within this context, we discuss the tissue-specific metabolic functions of peroxisomes, cell-specific distribution, and how peroxisomal dysfunction contributes to or may contribute to disease pathogenesis.