Lysosomes in programmed cell death pathways: from initiators to amplifiers.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Lysosomes are central to intracellular degradation via endocytosis, autophagy, and phagocytosis.
• Lysosomes participate in cell death, inflammasome activation, immune responses, secretion, and cholesterol recycling.
• Programmed cell death, particularly apoptosis, involves lysosomal membrane permeabilization and release of hydrolases like cathepsins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of lysosomal membrane permeabilization in programmed cell death pathways.
• To elucidate the mechanisms leading to lysosomal membrane permeabilization during cell death.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of programmed cell death pathways.
• Analysis of mechanisms causing lysosomal membrane permeabilization.

Main Results:

• Lysosomal membrane permeabilization is frequently observed in cell death pathways.
• The critical role of lysosomal membrane permeabilization in initiating cell death remains under investigation.
• Mechanisms of lysosomal membrane permeabilization involve hydrolases such as cathepsins.

Conclusions:

• Lysosomal membrane permeabilization is a common feature of cell death but its initiating role requires further clarification.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending cell death regulation.