Molecular Mechanisms of Lysosome and Nucleus Communication

Trends Biochem Sci. 2020 Nov;45(11):978-991. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.06.004. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Abstract

Lysosomes transcend the role of degradation stations, acting as key nodes for interorganelle crosstalk and signal transduction. Lysosomes communicate with the nucleus through physical proximity and functional interaction. In response to external and internal stimuli, lysosomes actively adjust their distribution between peripheral and perinuclear regions and modulate lysosome-nucleus signaling pathways; in turn, the nucleus fine-tunes lysosomal biogenesis and functions through transcriptional controls. Changes in coordination between these two essential organelles are associated with metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging. In this review, we address recent advances in lysosome-nucleus communication by multi-tiered regulatory mechanisms and discuss how these regulations couple metabolic inputs with organellar motility, cellular signaling, and transcriptional network.

Keywords: lysosomal adaptation; lysosomal metabolites; lysosome positioning; lysosome-to-nucleus signaling; transcription factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Humans
  • Lysosomes / chemistry
  • Lysosomes / genetics
  • Lysosomes / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction