Lysosomes are critical for cellular degradation, characterized by their acidic pH and array of hydrolytic enzymes. They degrade materials through endocytosis, phagocytosis, and autophagy, recycling essential components. Lysosomes also participate in vital cellular processes, and their dysfunction contributes to diseases such as lysosomal storage diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Research methods and tools have been developed to study lysosomes in cultured cells, C. elegans, and mice, key model systems. In cultured cells, lysosomes can be characterized and their functions investigated. C. elegans, with its short life cycle and genetic tools, offers a straightforward model for studying lysosomes in development and aging. In mice, transgenic models expressing lysosomal proteins provide insights into lysosomal function in vivo. While the well-established tools will continue to contribute to the study of lysosomal biology, it is necessary to develop novel assays for a better understanding of lysosomal functions in diverse physiological and pathological conditions. The methods and techniques summarized in this review provide a foundation for understanding lysosomal biology and exploring potential therapeutic targets. The review entitled “Exploring lysosomal biology: current approaches and methods” was published on Biophysics Reports (published on January, 2024).
Key points:
l Studying Lysosomes in Cultured Cells: Antibodies, pH-sensitive dyes, and genetically-encoded sensors are employed to identify lysosomes and study their acidification, maturation, integrity, and numbers.
l Using C. elegans as a Model to Study Lysosomes: Genetic fluorescent reporters are utilized to track lysosomal maturation, acidification, and degradation activity, as well as to investigate damaged lysosomes.
l Studying Lysosomes in Mice: Histological and in vivo imaging studies in mice offer an understanding of lysosomal function at the organism level.
Image: Commonly used fluorescent dyes and protein markers for lysosomes.
Reference:Qiuyuan, Y. and Y. Chonglin (2024). "Exploring lysosomal biology: current approaches and methods." Biophysics Reports 9: 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.52601/bpr.2023.230028
About Biophysics Reports
Biophysics Reports is an international, open-access journal that serves as a worldwide forum, which publishes novel theories, methods, and protocols, as well as significant improvements in basic research techniques across multidisciplinary areas of the biological and biomedical sciences. The article types include: Commentaries, Methods, Protocols, Research articles, and Reviews.The Editor-in-Chief is Academician Tao Xu from Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Biophysics Reports has been indexed by PubMed Central, SCOPUS, CSCD etc.