BACKGROUND The defining feature of eukaryotic cells is the presence of membrane-bound
organelles of diverse kinds, each with specialized functions. Most organelles have multiple …

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the largest organelle in the cell, and its functions have
been studied for decades. The past several years have provided novel insights into the …

Intercellular communication has been known for decades to involve either direct contact
between cells or to operate via circulating molecules, such as cytokines, growth factors, or …

Phagocytosis, the regulated uptake of large particles (> 0.5 μm in diameter), is essential for
tissue homeostasis and is also an early, critical component of the innate immune response …

Lysosomes are highly dynamic organelles that can move rapidly throughout the cell. They
distribute in a rather immobile pool located around the microtubule‐organizing center in a …

Autophagy is the main homeostatic pathway guiding cytosolic materials for degradation by
the lysosome. Maturation of autophagosomes requires their transport towards the …

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is an atypical lysosomal storage disease resulting from
mutations in one of two genes, either NPC1 or NPC2. Although a neurovisceral disorder, it is …

Overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is a cause of drug resistance in
a plethora of tumors. More recent evidence indicates additional contribution of these …

Inter-organelle membrane contacts sites (MCSs) are specific subcellular regions favoring
the exchange of metabolites and information. We investigated the potential role of the late …

Lysosomes, the degradation center of the cell, are filled with acidic hydrolases. Lysosomes
generate nutrient-sensitive signals to regulate the import of H+, hydrolases, and endocytic …