About this Research Topic

Background

Lysosome-related organelles (LROs) are cell-type specialized organelles that perform essential physiological functions. LROs originate from the endocytic and secretory pathways and co-exist with conventional lysosomes or are modified lysosomes. Each LRO has a unique molecular composition, morphology, and function that require cellular adaptation of membrane dynamics and trafficking mechanisms for the sorting and delivery of cell-type specific cargoes necessary for their biogenesis and function. Another distinctive feature of LROs is their secretory capacity, justifying the original name of secretory lysosomes. Despite their striking differences, LROs share membrane trafficking pathways and associated components necessary for their biology. Moreover, mutations in these components lead to inherited syndromic disorders. The shared molecular machinery and secretability are the criteria currently used to classify an organelle as an LRO. However, many putative LROs are defined throughout the animal kingdom for which there is not enough knowledge to rigorously classify. It is therefore crucial to continue building up the knowledge of known and potential LROs to shed light on their function in health and their dysfunction in disease.

Recent studies provided an elaborate map of the biogenesis pathways of different LROs such as melanosomes, platelet dense granules, Weibel-Palade bodies, cytolytic granules or lamellar bodies, among others. Recently, new organelles have been proposed as potential LROs, but no consensus has emerged as to their identity. It is therefore timely to collectively provide additional knowledge and opinions regarding the fundamental aspects of their biology. With this special issue, we aim to provide a platform to shed light on the biology of LROs, including how they form, mature, secrete, and function from the perspective of their cell biology and membrane dynamics, both in health and LRO-related diseases. The following topics may be considered for this special issue:
1. Characterization, function, and diseases associated with LROs
2. Membrane dynamics to and from LROs
3. LRO maturation, positioning and turnover
4. Regulation of LRO secretion
5. Genetic manipulation to study the function of LROs

Original scientific studies, commentaries, opinions, and reviews are welcomed on the following scopes:

• Specialized organelles/LRO biogenesis and function
• Membrane dynamics-related mechanisms required for LRO biogenesis, maturation, secretion, and function
• Physiological and pathological aspects of LROs
• Possible therapeutical strategies to treat LRO-associated diseases or alleviate their symptoms
• Genetic characterization of LRO-associated diseases
• LROs in animal model systems


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This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: lysosome, organelle, biogenesis, Weibel-Palade bodies, melanosomes, platelet alpha, dense granules, cytolytic granules, lamellar bodies, keratinocytes, MHC class II, MVBs, extracellular vesicles, membrane contact sites, azurophilic granules, basophilic granules, phagosomes, notochord vacuoles, invadosomes, secretory lysosomes, acrosomes, autophagosomes

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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