Lysosomal and endosomal compartments

The lysosomal and endosomal compartments are specialized, membrane-bound organelles central to the degradation, sorting, and recycling of extracellular and intracellular materials. Endosomes are heterogeneous vesicles that sort internalized cargo before recycling it to the plasma membrane, routing it to other organelles, or delivering it to lysosomes for degradation. Lysosomes are acidic organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the breakdown of macromolecules, cellular debris, and pathogens; they are central to autophagy, cellular metabolism, and immune defense. Together, these compartments form a dynamic network—often referred to as the endolysosomal system—that orchestrates vesicular trafficking, membrane dynamics, and protein/lipid degradation, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis and playing critical roles in signaling, antigen presentation, and the response to stress and infection. Defects in this system are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, lysosomal storage disorders, and cancer.

Other names

Endolysosomal systemLysosomeEndosomeEndolysosomal compartment