AUTHOR=Todkar Kiran , Ilamathi Hema S. , Germain Marc TITLE=Mitochondria and Lysosomes: Discovering Bonds JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology VOLUME=5 YEAR=2017 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2017.00106 DOI=10.3389/fcell.2017.00106 ISSN=2296-634X ABSTRACT=

In the last decade, the traditional view of lysosomes has been challenged by the recognition that lysosomes are not only degradative organelles, but also metabolic sensors that play a key role in the regulation of metabolism and cell growth. Similarly, mitochondria are now seen as crucial metabolic hubs dictating cell fate decisions, not just ATP-producing machines. Importantly, these functions are generally performed as a coordinate response of distinct organelles that are physically and functionally connected. While the association between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum is well known, a similar interaction between mitochondria and lysosomes is now emerging. This interaction could be required to shuttle amino acids, lipids and ions such as Ca2+ between the two organelles, thereby modulating their metabolic functions. In addition, a tethering complex linking the two organelles has recently been described in yeast, although the mammalian counterpart has yet to be identified. Here, we discuss the implications of these recent findings.