Lysosomes and the plasma membrane: trypanosomes reveal a secret relationship.
Studies of the cell invasion mechanism of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi led to a series of novel findings, which revealed a previously unsuspected ability of conventional lysosomes to fuse with the plasma membrane. This regulated exocytic process, previously regarded mostly as a specialization of certain cell types, was recently shown to play an important role in the mechanism by which cells reseal their plasma membrane after injury.
Andrews
Norma W
NW
Section of Microbial Pathogenesis and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536, USA. norma.andrews@yale.edu
D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity