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"Lysosomes are now known tobe notjustacollectionofisolatedorganellesofin terest only to the biochemist, but part ofa complex, dynamic, membranous sys tem essential to the cell's economy." So wrote the late Dame Honor Fell and I in the preface to the first volume of Lysosomes in Biology and Pathology almost 30 years ago. We wentonto say thatresearchonthelysosomalsystematthetimewas in a state ofexplosive and chaotic growth. While the chaos has beenlargely reduced, the growthofresearch into the bi ology ofthe lysosome remains considerable. Biologists worldwide are still fasci nated by the diversity of activities and the interaction between the various membranous systems of the cell, both in biological and pathological situations. The present volume, edited by John Lloyd and Robert Mason, who have each made major contributions to research in this field, continues to systematize the growthofinformation in this importantarea. Taken together, the twelve chaptersofthis volume form an extensive update ofour knowledge of the biological and physiological role of the lysosomal sys tem. The book will enhance our knowledge ofcell function and help in our un derstanding ofthe factors that control cell metabolism in health and disease. John T. Dingle Hughes Hall Cambridge, England ix Preface Lysosomes are still orphan organelles. Even in the 1990s, it is not unknown for members of a scientific or medical audience to reveal, by a question following a lecture, thatthey confuse lysosome with lysozyme or liposome.Andthis ignorance has adeeperreasonthan mereconfusionoversimilar-sounding terms. Itarisesbe cause Iysosomes exist on the periphery of cell function, rather than at its center.
List of contents
I: Delivery Routes to the Lysosome.- 1 The Taxonomy of Lysosomes and Related Structures.- 2 Origin of Lysosomal Proteins.- 3 Endocytosis.- 4 Autophagy.- 5 Selective Proteolysis: 70-kDa Heat-Shock Protein and Ubiquitin-Dependent Mechanisms?.- II: Metabolism in the Lysosome.- 6 Lysosomal Metabolism of Proteins.- 7 Lysosomal Metabolism of Glycoconjugates.- 8 Lysosomal Metabolism of Lipids.- 9 Lysosomal Nucleic Acid and Phosphate Metabolism and Related Metabolic Reactions.- III: The Lysosome in Its Cytoplasmic Environment.- 10 Acidification of Lysosomes and Endosomes.- 11 Metabolite Efflux and Influx across the Lysosome Membrane.- 12 Lysosome Pharmacology and Toxicology.
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From a preview of a previous volume:
`The heterogeneity of topics...is very ambitious, and the result is, overall, successful because of the high quality of the individual contributions...highly recommended.'
Amercian Scientist.
`Well written and timely...of interest to all those involved in the study of this organelle and for those interested in the medical and genetic aspects of lysosomal disorders...recommended.'
Journal of Medical Genetics
