Medicus, Vol. 9 No. 2_Antibiotici, 2000.
Review article
On the Occasion of the 45th Anniversary of the Discovery Lysosomes and the Phenomenon of Lysosomotropism
Olga Carević
Abstract
In 1955, Christian de Duve and other scientists
working with him in Belgium gave the name lysosomes to a
group of cytoplasmic particles surrounded by lipoprotein membranes
and containing a variety of acid hydrolases. Biochemical
and cytochemical studies have shown lysosomes to be
present in animal and plant eucariotic cells. On the other
hand, mammalian mature red cells and procaryotes such
bacteria, mycoplasm and blue-green algae do not contain lysosomes.
Late it was established that function of lysosomes is
involved in the dynamics of the lysosomal system which is
composed of variety of cytoplasmic structures: primary lysosomes,
secondary lysosomes, post-lysosomes, endosomes and
autophagosomes. These organelles are capable of fusing with
one another, or under certain circumstances with cell membrane.
Lysosomal system participates in many physiological
processes: degradation of the endogenous and exogenous
macromolecules (proteins, lipids, polysaccharides and nucleic
acids) and cytoplasmic structures (mitochondria, peroxisomes,
Golgi complex etc.), regression of tissues (mammary
glands after lactation ceases), regulation of hormone secretion
such as proinsulin to insulin. On the other hand, the lysosomal
system is involved in a number of pathological situations:
inflammation, various intoxications, defense mechanisms
(against bacteria and viruses), allergic reactions, various
stress reactions, ischemia, inborn lysosomal diseases, such
mucopolysaccharidosis, sfingolipidosis, fucosidosis, alterations
of genetic material leading to malignant transformations.
The term lysosomotropism introduced by de Duve in 1972, designates
all substances that are taken up selectively into lysosomes,
irrespective of their nature or mechanisms of uptake.
Keywords
lysosomes; participation in physological and pathological processes; lysosomotropism and drugs
Hrčak ID:
19221
URI
Publication date:
20.9.2000.
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