Purpose of review: To discuss the involvement of lysosomes in the control of muscle mass.
Recent findings: Lysosomes control the half-life of long-lived proteins and the turnover of organelles and therefore, are critical for cellular homeostasis. Skeletal muscle contraction is a potential source of metabolic, mechanical, and thermal stressors. Therefore, the quality control of proteins and of organelles is particularly active in this tissue. Recent findings have shown that impairment of the degradation systems leads to accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins and altered organelles which turns into toxicity for the muscle cells. Conversely, excessive activation of proteolytic machinery, including lysosomal-dependent degradation, contributes to muscle loss, weakness, and finally to death. This article reviews the rapid progress made in the past few years regarding the role of lysosomal-dependent degradation in the homeostasis of adult muscle fibers.
Summary: These findings will help to define the role of the lysosomal system in muscle homeostasis during physiological or pathological conditions.