Mitochondria-Lysosome Crosstalk, in Disease and in Health

Cellular metabolism is currently experiencing a Renaissance. Mitochondria and lysosomes are key organelles for cellular metabolism, and their dysfunctions result in severe metabolic diseases. However, mitochondria are no longer seen solely as ATP-producing factories. Their roles in apoptosis and cellular signalling, impacting diabetes, cancer, and ageing, are now well established. Likewise, the perceived function of lysosomes has evolved from simple catabolic organelles to nutrient sensing and autophagy. Furthermore, it is now appreciated that mitochondria and lysosomes interact with each other as well as with other cellular organelles The reductionist view that these organelles are isolated entities is therefore no longer acceptable. However, it remains unclear how mitochondria and lysosomes coordinate their functions with the rest of the cell, and the mechanisms by which they affect each other are only starting to be unveiled.