ISSN:
1432-1076
Keywords:
Pristanic acid
;
Phytanic acid
;
Peroxisome
;
β-oxidation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The plasma of some patients with biochemical evidence of a generalised peroxisomal dysfunction (GPD) show greatly increased levels of phytanic acid as well as its α-oxidation product, pristanic acid (2, 6, 10, 14-tetramethylpentadecanoic acid). Increased amounts of 14- and 16- carbon branched chain fatty acids are also found in some of these patients. As pristanic acid is present in normal or near-normal amounts in classical Refsum disease and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia, two disorders characterised by deficiencies in phytanic acid oxidation, we speculate that its accumulation is not secondary to a defect in the α-oxidation of phytanic acid, but is indicative of a block in the peroxisomal β-oxidation of pristanic acid. The finding of phytanic acid, as well as a number of its metabolites in patients with inherited defects in peroxisomal biogenesis indicates that a number of the steps in phytanic acid degradation may be confined to peroxisomes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00442211
