Research progress on the roles of lysosome in the evolution of cancer / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Lysosomes are acidic catabolic organelles,containing over 50 acid hydrolases and many lysosomal specific membrane proteins.Lysosomes are responsible for the disposal and recycling of worn out and damaged cellular macromolecules and organelles as well as the digestion of extracellular and foreign materials delivered to them by endocytosis,autophagy and phagocytosis.Increased expression and function of various lysosomal hydrolases are common in human tumors,and they often correlate with a higher risk of rccurrence and poor prognosis.Inhibition of lysosomal exocytosis can inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis.It does not affect the activity of acid hydrolytic enzymes,but causes the instability of lysosomal membrane and increases the sensitivity of tumor cells to drugs.