Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Live-cell Imaging of Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization During Necroptosis
Published on: November 14, 2025
Lysosomal membrane permeabilization in cell death: concepts and challenges.
Urška Repnik1, Maruša Hafner Česen2, Boris Turk3
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway.
Lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) releases cellular contents, triggering cell death pathways like apoptosis or necrosis. Understanding LMP mechanisms is crucial for therapeutic applications, potentially triggering cell death or drug release.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Late endocytic compartments, including lysosomes, degrade cellular cargo.
- Lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) disrupts endo/lysosomal function, releasing contents into the cytosol.
- LMP can be induced by various endogenous and synthetic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms and consequences of lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP).
- To investigate the link between LMP and various cell death pathways.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting LMP.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on LMP and cell death.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms connecting LMP to cell death signaling.
- Discussion of methodological challenges in studying LMP.
Main Results:
- LMP can initiate apoptosis, pyroptosis, or necrosis depending on cell type and dose.
- LMP can amplify extrinsic cell death signals and inhibit autophagy.
- Mechanisms linking LMP to cell death are not fully understood, except for cathepsin involvement.
Conclusions:
- LMP is a critical event affecting endo/lysosomal function and cell fate.
- Targeting LMP offers potential therapeutic strategies for triggering cell death or controlled drug delivery.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms connecting LMP and cell death signaling.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Cell Death
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...
Necrosis
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become...
Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death
Autophagic Cell Death
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...

