lysosomecontaining

Lysosome-containing is an adjective used to describe cells or organelles that possess lysosomes. Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles housing acid hydrolases that degrade biomolecules. They arise from the endosomal-lysosomal system, typically forming through maturation of late endosomes and delivery from the trans-Golgi network. They maintain an acidic interior (pH around 4.5–5.0) essential for enzyme activity. The lysosomal lumen contains a repertoire of enzymes including proteases (cathepsins), nucleases, lipases, and glycosidases, principally delivered to lysosomes by mannose-6-phosphate receptors.

Functions include degradation of endocytosed material, phagocytosed microbes, and autophagic recycling of cytosolic components and damaged organelles. In specialized cells, lysosome-containing processes occur in lysosome-related organelles, such as melanosomes and lytic granules, reflecting varied secretory and degradative roles.

In health, lysosome function is essential for cellular homeostasis. Defects in lysosomal enzymes or membrane proteins lead to lysosomal storage diseases, characterized by accumulation of substrates within lysosomes and progressive pathology. Examples include Pompe disease, Gaucher disease, and Fabry disease, among others. Some mature cells, such as erythrocytes, lack lysosomes, illustrating cellular diversity in degradative capacity. In research, lysosomes are central to studies of autophagy, cellular clearance, and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as targets for therapies aimed at enhancing lysosomal function.