title: Lysosome-related organelles: unusual compartments become mainstream.
abstract: Lysosome-related organelles (LROs) comprise a group of cell type-specific subcellular compartments with unique composition, morphology and structure that share some features with endosomes and lysosomes and that function in varied processes such as pigmentation, hemostasis, lung plasticity and immunity. In recent years, studies of genetic diseases in which LRO functions are compromised have provided new insights into the mechanisms of LRO biogenesis and the regulated secretion of LRO contents. These insights have revealed previously unappreciated specialized endosomal sorting processes in all cell types, and are expanding our views of the plasticity of the endosomal and secretory systems in adapting to cell type-specific needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. marksm@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Harry F G
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Heijnen
authors.forename: Graça
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raposo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004705:Endocytosis; D011992:Endosomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021381:Protein Transport; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*