lysosomes

[sonken]

I got three questions regarding the property of lysosome. I Hope someone can help me find the answers. Thank you so much!

1. The lumen of lysosome has a pH of 4.6, but How would you measure the pH of lysosomal lumen?

2. What is the advantage to the cell in maintaining a acidic pH in the lumen of the lysosome?

3. How do lysosomes protect the integrity of their membranes from attack by the lysosome enzymes?

[x2eagle18]

With regard to your second question:

Since lysosomal hydrolases are only active in an acidic environment such as the lumen of lysosomes, they cannot degrade protein in other parts of the cell. If a lysosome were to rupture then those hydrolases would be free to destroy proteins throughout the cytoplasm, but since they are not enzymatically active at a neutral pH, they cannot do any damage. Additionally, after the enzymes are synthesized, they must be transported to the lysosome. Therefore, there must be a mechanism to prevent them from degrading protein during this trafficking.

[MrMistery]

3. look for glycosilation of proteins in regard to protecting them from proteases.

1. Absolutely no idea.

[Vagabond]

Here is a quick journal article for you to start you on your journy

http://www.springerlink.com/content/t926866648p8734q/

[Dustfinger]

1. Can't they be extracted ? And then you could measure the PH.