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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Lysosomes and plasma membrane repair.
Matthias Corrotte1, Thiago Castro-Gomes2
1Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States.
Current Topics in Membranes
|October 16, 2019
Summary
Cellular repair of the plasma membrane is vital for survival. This study highlights the critical role of lysosomes in resealing membrane damage, revealing a new function for these organelles in maintaining cell integrity.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Membrane Biology
- Organelle Function
Background:
- Plasma membrane integrity is essential for eukaryotic cell survival.
- Cellular damage triggers rapid repair mechanisms involving calcium influx.
- Lysosomes are known for their role in degradation but their role in repair is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize evidence for the involvement of lysosomes in plasma membrane repair.
- To propose a novel function for lysosomes in maintaining cell integrity.
- To elucidate the role of lysosomal exocytosis in cellular repair.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on plasma membrane repair.
- Analysis of studies investigating calcium-mediated cellular responses.
- Examination of the role of lysosomal enzymes in resealing damaged membranes.
Main Results:
- Extracellular calcium influx is a key trigger for plasma membrane repair.
- Intracellular vesicles, including lysosomes, are recruited and fuse at damage sites.
- Exocytosis of lysosomal enzymes contributes significantly to restoring plasma membrane integrity.
Conclusions:
- Lysosomes play a crucial, previously unrecognized role in plasma membrane repair.
- Lysosomal exocytosis is a vital mechanism for preventing cell death after membrane damage.
- This research redefines the functional scope of lysosomes in cellular homeostasis.
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