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Lysosomal solute and water transport
Meiqin Hu1,2,3, Nan Zhou1,2,3, Weijie Cai3
1Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|October 11, 2022
Summary
Lysosomes regulate their volume and function through osmosensing mechanisms controlling solute and water transport. This review explores how ion channels and transporters manage lysosomal size and content exchange.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Lysosomes degrade macromolecules via hydrolases, producing reusable catabolites.
- Lysosome function depends on osmosensing machinery regulating solutes and water.
- Lysosomes swell and become hypo-functional under hypoosmotic stress or with undigested material accumulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms regulating lysosomal fusion, fission, swelling, and condensation.
- To focus on solute and water transport across lysosomal membranes.
- To provide perspectives on lysosomal volume regulation and its impact on cellular homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on lysosomal transport and volume regulation.
- Analysis of the roles of specific ion channels and transporters (H+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-).
- Discussion of how these mechanisms coordinate with membrane trafficking.
Main Results:
- Lysosomal volume is actively regulated by specific ion channels and transporters.
- These transporters sense osmotic and trafficking cues to control solute and water flux.
- Lysosomal volume adjustments impact the cytosol and cytoplasm.
Conclusions:
- Lysosomes possess sophisticated mechanisms to control their volume and maintain function.
- Solute and water transport are critical for regulating lysosomal size, fusion, and fission.
- Understanding these processes offers insights into cellular volume homeostasis.
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