Lipids and Lysosomes

Lysosomes are cytoplasmic organelles delimited by a single membrane and filled with a variety of hydrolytic enzymes active at acidic pH and collectively capable to degrade the vast majority of macromolecules entering lysosomes via endocytosis, phagocytosis or autophagy. In this review, we describe the lipid composition and the dynamic properties of lysosomal membrane, the main delivery pathways of lipids to lysosomes and their catabolism inside lysosomes. Then, we present the consequences of a lipid accumulation as seen in various lysosomal storage diseases on lysosomal functions. Finally, we discuss about the possible involvement of lysosomes in lipotoxicity.