Bioremediation meets biomedicine: therapeutic translation of microbial catabolism to the lysosome

Trends Biotechnol. 2002 Nov;20(11):452-5. doi: 10.1016/s0167-7799(02)02062-0.

Abstract

Lysosomal degradation of damaged macromolecules is imperfect: many cell types accumulate lysosomal aggregates with age. Some such deposits are known, or are strongly suspected, to cause age-related disorders such as atherosclerosis and neurodegeration. It is possible that they also influence the rate of aging in general. Lysosomal degradation involves extensive cooperation between the participating enzymes: each generates a substrate for others until breakdown of the target material to recyclable units (such as amino acids) is complete. Hence, the age-related accumulation of lysosomal aggregates might be markedly retarded, or even reversed, by introducing just a few bacterial or fungal enzymes -'xenohydrolases' - that can degrade molecules that our natural machinery cannot. This article examines the feasibility and biomedical potential of such lysosomal enhancement as an approach to retarding or treating age-related physiological decline and disease.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects*
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Fungi / enzymology
  • Fungi / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Hydrolases / therapeutic use*
  • Lysosomal Storage Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Lysosomal Storage Diseases / therapy*
  • Lysosomes / physiology*
  • Transformation, Genetic*

Substances

  • Hydrolases