The biogenesis of lysosomes: is it a kiss and run, continuous fusion and fission process?
Molecules are transferred to lysosomes, the major, acid pH, digestive compartment in eukaryotic cells, by a complex series of pathways that converge at a late endosome/prelysosomal compartment. Here, we discuss the relationship between this compartment and the lysosome. We propose that lysosomes are maintained within cells by a repeated series of kiss and run, transient fusion and fission processes with the late endosome/prelysosome compartment. Directionality to these processes may be conferred by pH gradients and retrieval mechanisms. The future challenge in testing this and any other proposed hypothesis for lysosomal biogenesis will be the establishment of molecular mechanisms.
Storrie
B
B
Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0308, USA. storrie@vt.edu
Desjardins
M
M
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D011992:Endosomes / Q000502:physiology; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000502:physiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological
D015703:Antigens, CD; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D002402:Cathepsin D