Lysosomal storage diseases in cats

Lysosome function

The main function of these microbodies within cells is digestion. Lysosomes break down cellular waste products and debris from outside the cell into simple compounds, which are transferred out into the cytoplasm as new cell-building materials.

Like other microbodies, lysosomes are spherical organelles contained by a single layer membrane. This membrane protects the rest of the cell from the lysosomes' harsh digestive enzymes that would otherwise damage it. Lysosomes originate in the Golgi apparatus, but the digestive enzymes are manufactured in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Lysosomes are found in all eukaryotic cells, but are most numerous in disease-fighting cells, such as white blood cells. Some human diseases are caused by lysosome enzyme disorders. Tay-sachs disease is caused by a genetic defect that prevents the formation of an essential enzyme that breaks down a complex lipid called ganglioside. An accumulation of this lipid damages the nervous system, causes mental retardation and death in early childhood. Arthritis inflammation and pain are related to the escape of lysosome enzymes.