Lipases in lysosomes, what for?

Autophagy. 2009 Aug;5(6):866-7. doi: 10.4161/auto.9040. Epub 2009 Aug 18.

Abstract

We have all learned in textbooks that “lysosomes contain hydrolases able to degrade all types of intracellular molecules which include proteases, glycosidases, nucleotidases and lipases.” To date, the only logical explanation for the presence of lipases inside of lysosomes was for the degradation of lipoproteins internalized by endocytosis, and for the breakdown of intralysosomal vesicles derived from fusion with autophagosomes or multivesicular bodies. However, in our recent work we found a novel role for ysosomal lipases in the basic cellular process that regulates intracellular lipid stores that we have named “macrolipophagy”.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy
  • Humans
  • Lipase / metabolism*
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Lysosomes / enzymology*
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Phagosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipase