2. Academic Validation
  3. Current methods to analyze lysosome morphology, positioning, motility and function

Current methods to analyze lysosome morphology, positioning, motility and function

  • Traffic. 2022 May;23(5):238-269. doi: 10.1111/tra.12839.
Duarte C Barral 1,  Leopoldo Staiano 2 3,  Cláudia Guimas Almeida 1,  Dan F Cutler 4,  Emily R Eden 5,  Clare E Futter 5,  Antony Galione 6,  André R A Marques 1,  Diego Luis Medina 2 7,  Gennaro Napolitano 2 7,  Carmine Settembre 2 8,  Otília V Vieira 1,  Johannes M F G Aerts 9,  Peace Atakpa-Adaji 10,  Gemma Bruno 2,  Antonella Capuozzo 2,  Elvira De Leonibus 2 11,  Chiara Di Malta 2 7,  Cristina Escrevente 1,  Alessandra Esposito 2,  Paolo Grumati 2,  Michael J Hall 1,  Rita O Teodoro 1,  Susana S Lopes 1,  J Paul Luzio 12,  Jlenia Monfregola 2,  Sandro Montefusco 2,  Frances M Platt 6,  Roman Polishchuck 2,  Maria De Risi 2,  Irene Sambri 2 7,  Chiara Soldati 2,  Miguel C Seabra 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, NMS, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • 2 Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.
  • 3 Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy.
  • 4 MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK.
  • 5 University College London (UCL) Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
  • 6 Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
  • 7 Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical and Translational Science, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
  • 8 Clinical Medicine and Surgery Department, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
  • 9 Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
  • 10 Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
  • 11 Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR, Rome, Italy.
  • 12 Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
PMID: 35343629 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12839
Abstract

Since the discovery of lysosomes more than 70 years ago, much has been learned about the functions of these organelles. Lysosomes were regarded as exclusively degradative organelles, but more recent research has shown that they play essential roles in several other cellular functions, such as nutrient sensing, intracellular signalling and metabolism. Methodological advances played a key part in generating our current knowledge about the biology of this multifaceted organelle. In this review, we cover current methods used to analyze lysosome morphology, positioning, motility and function. We highlight the principles behind these methods, the methodological strategies and their advantages and limitations. To extract accurate information and avoid misinterpretations, we discuss the best strategies to identify lysosomes and assess their characteristics and functions. With this review, we aim to stimulate an increase in the quantity and quality of research on lysosomes and further ground-breaking discoveries on an organelle that continues to surprise and excite cell biologists.

Keywords

TFEB; endolysosomes; lysosomal storage diseases; lysosome biogenesis; lysosome exocytosis; lysosome-related organelles; lysosomes; mTOR; membrane contact sites.

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