lizoszomás

Lizoszomás, also known as lysosome-mediated degradation or lysosomal degradation, is a fundamental cellular process in eukaryotic cells. Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris. This process is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, recycling organic material, and removing pathogens.

During lizoszomás, extracellular or intracellular substances are engulfed by the cell through endocytosis or phagocytosis, forming endosomes or phagosomes. These vesicles then fuse with lysosomes, creating a hybrid organelle called a lysosome or phagolysosome. The acidic environment inside the lysosome, typically around pH 4.5–5.0, activates the lysosomal enzymes, which degrade the contents into their basic components, such as amino acids, sugars, and nucleotides.

Lizoszomás plays a key role in various biological functions, including antigen presentation in the immune system, bone remodeling, and the turnover of cellular components. Defects in lysosomal function can lead to lysosomal storage diseases, where undigested materials accumulate within lysosomes, causing cellular dysfunction and disease. Examples include Tay-Sachs disease, Gaucher disease, and Niemann-Pick disease.

The process is tightly regulated to ensure proper enzyme activity and vesicle trafficking. Lysosomal enzymes are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum, modified in the Golgi apparatus, and then transported to lysosomes. Mutations affecting enzyme synthesis, trafficking, or function can disrupt lizoszomás, leading to pathological conditions. Research into lysosomal biology continues to provide insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.