Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
05:30
Live-cell Imaging of Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization During Necroptosis
Published on: November 14, 2025
538
Lysosomes and autophagy in cell death control
Guido Kroemer1, Marja Jäättelä
1CNRS-UMR8125, Institut Gustave Roussy, 38 rue Camille Desmoulins, F-94805 Villejuif, France. kroemer@igr.fr
Nature Reviews. Cancer
|October 22, 2005
Summary
Lysosomal enzymes are involved in cell death and cancer progression. Targeting lysosomal and autophagic pathways may offer novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lysosomal hydrolases digest cellular material within lysosomes and autolysosomes.
- Their release into the cytosol causes cell death, while extracellular release aids cancer progression.
- Lysosomal alterations are frequent in cancer, influencing invasion, angiogenesis, and cell death sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of lysosomal hydrolases and autophagic pathways in cancer.
- To explore the potential of targeting these pathways for novel cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lysosomal hydrolase activity and localization in cancer cells.
- Investigation of autophagic pathway alterations in carcinogenesis.
- Assessment of lysosomal heat-shock protein 70's role in lysosomal membrane stability.
Main Results:
- Increased expression and altered trafficking of lysosomal enzymes correlate with cancer progression.
- Lysosomal heat-shock protein 70 protects against lysosomal membrane permeabilization.
- Autophagic compartment alterations are linked to cancer development and chemotherapy resistance.
Conclusions:
- Lysosomal hydrolases and autophagic pathways are critical in cancer progression and therapy resistance.
- Targeting these pathways presents a promising strategy for developing new cancer treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
5.0K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
5.0K
01:36Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome
10.5K
Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
10.5K
01:27Autophagy
6.1K
Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
6.1K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
11.0K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
11.0K
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
5.5K
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
5.5K
01:31Lysosomes
27.0K
Lysosomes are membrane-enclosed spherical sacs derived from the Golgi apparatus. The most important function of the lysosome is degrading macromolecules and biological polymers that are released during membrane trafficking events such as the secretory, endocytic, autophagic, and phagocytic pathways. The degradation is carried out by several hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen. These acid hydrolases are involved in cellular processes such as cell signaling,...
27.0K