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Secretory lysosomes in Dictyostelium: visualization, characterization, and dynamics
Wanessa C Lima1, Pierre Cosson
1Cell Physiology and Metabolism Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Wanessa.DeLima@unige.ch
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|March 16, 2013
Summary
Dictyostelium discoideum offers a powerful model for studying cellular processes. New protocols enable detailed analysis of secretory lysosome function, including ion concentration and exocytosis rates.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Dictyostelium discoideum serves as a model organism for endocytic pathway research.
- Its endocytic pathway closely resembles that of mammalian cells.
- Dictyostelium is increasingly utilized for studying secretory lysosome biogenesis and secretion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe protocols for analyzing secretory lysosomes in Dictyostelium discoideum.
- To enable determination of ionic concentration within these compartments.
- To quantify rates of lysosome maturation and exocytosis.
Main Methods:
- Development of novel protocols for Dictyostelium discoideum.
- Measurement of ionic concentrations in secretory lysosomes.
- Assessment of lysosome maturation and exocytosis dynamics.
Main Results:
- Established protocols for ionic concentration determination.
- Quantified rates of secretory lysosome maturation.
- Measured exocytosis rates of secretory lysosomes.
- Demonstrated the utility of Dictyostelium for lysosome research.
Conclusions:
- Dictyostelium discoideum is a valuable model for secretory lysosome research.
- The described protocols facilitate detailed investigation of lysosome function.
- This work provides tools to advance understanding of lysosome biogenesis and secretion.
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