The lysosome turns fifty.
In the course of an investigation aimed at characterizing hepatic glucose 6-phosphatase, the unrelated acid phosphatase of rat liver was serendipitously observed to be latent and particle-bound in freshly prepared homogenates. Experiments designed to elucidate this intriguing finding led, 50 years ago, to the discovery of lysosomes. This could not have happened if strict adherence to a previously set programme had been mandatory.
de Duve
Christian
C
Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. deduve@icp.ucl.ac.be
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats
D000135:Acid Phosphatase