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Related Concept Videos

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

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 by phagocytes.
Lysosomes01:31

Lysosomes

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,...
Lysosomes01:31

Lysosomes

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,...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

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 pro-apoptotic...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...

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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
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Published on: August 12, 2018

Lysosomes in apoptosis.

Saska Ivanova1, Urska Repnik, Lea Bojic

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Methods in Enzymology
|July 30, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Lysosomes, crucial for protein recycling and autophagy, also mediate programmed cell death (apoptosis) through the release of lysosomal proteases like cathepsins. This review covers methods for studying these vital cellular components and enzymes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Lysosomes are key organelles involved in protein degradation and cellular recycling via autophagy.
  • Emerging evidence highlights lysosomes' critical role in regulating apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
  • Lysosomal function in apoptosis is linked to the release of specific proteases into the cytoplasm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review methodologies for investigating lysosome function.
  • To explore the role of lysosomal proteases in apoptosis.
  • To highlight key proteases involved in mediating cell death.

Main Methods:

  • Review of established and novel techniques for lysosome isolation and characterization.
  • Analysis of methods to detect lysosomal protease activity and localization.
  • Examination of experimental approaches to study protease release during apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Lysosomal proteases, particularly cysteine cathepsins and aspartic cathepsin D, are identified as major mediators of apoptosis.
  • Efficient apoptosis requires the translocation of these lysosomal proteases into the cytosol.
  • Various biochemical and cellular assays are effective for studying lysosome-mediated apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Lysosomes are not only involved in autophagy but also actively participate in the apoptotic process.
  • Lysosomal proteases are critical effectors of programmed cell death.
  • Understanding the methods to study lysosomes and their proteases is essential for dissecting apoptosis.