Effects of Cancer on Lysosomal Integrity and Molecular Changes
Lysosomes and their degradative enzyme libraries are increasingly becoming an area of interest in the field of oncology. When lysosomal hydrolases are involved in tumor growth, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, cancer cells exhibit transformation-induced changes in lysosomal compartments that are pro-oncogenic in nature. In cancer, oncogene-induced decreases in ysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP) expression and increases in cysteine histone protease (especially histone B) expression and activity can promote lysosomal membrane permeability (LMP) by sensitizing lysosomal membrane leakage and rupture. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) can bind to the endolysosomal anion phospholipid bis(monoacylglycerol) phosphate (BMP) and play an important role in maintaining lysosomal integrity by inhibiting LMP to promote cell survival.
Fig. 1. Lysosome-dependent cell death and apoptosis are triggered after LMP. (Serrano-Puebla A, et al., 2018)
Services
Transformation and cancer progression involve dramatic changes in the volume, composition and cellular distribution of lysosomes. Any damage to the lysosomal membrane in cancer (lysosomal membrane instability, lysosomal membrane disruption, and LMP) results in the release of lysosomal contents into the cytoplasmic lysate. Our aim is to analyze lysosomal membrane damage in cancer. At CD BioSciences, we are committed to providing our global clients with a comprehensive service for the analysis of molecular changes involving lysosomal integrity in cancer through the detection of sphingomyelinase, ceramidase and lysosomal membrane permeability in cancer.
Cancer-Associated Changes in Lysosomal Sphingolipid Metabolism
In cancer, the levels of bioactive sphingolipids are altered. Therefore, bioactive sphingolipids have potential as important cancer biomarkers for determining disease progression. Sphingolipase (ASM) and ceramidase (AC) are key enzymes for sphingolipid catabolism. We focus on the activity of these enzymes in cancer, such as SMase, SPT, CerS, DES , S1P, CerK, CDase, SPHK and SMS. In addition, we collaborate with lipid biologists to generate ASM or AC knockout mouse models using RNA interference technology to analyze the role of ASM or AC in cancer and to obtain information on targeting ASM or AC.
Cancer-Associated Changes in Lysosomal Membrane Integrity
We offer a variety of methods for assessing lysosomal membrane permeability in cancer, including assaying cytosolic release of lysosomal enzymes; staining with lysosomal dyes; assaying lysosomal release of preloaded dextran; monitoring translocation of galactocortin into damaged lysosomes, etc.
Our Available Advantages
- Ability to visualize and assess lysosomal membrane integrity in cancer cells.
- Advanced RNA interference technology platform.
- Ability to specifically knock down ASM and AC in cancer cells in animal and tissue culture models.
- Used for a wide range of sample types, including fixed and in vivo samples.
- Easy to operate and sensitive experimental procedure.
- Contributes to the development of lysosomes as novel pharmacological targets in human tumors.
CD BioSciences can meet any reasonable needs of our clients, taking time and budget into consideration for you. Our aim is to be customer-centric and to provide the highest quality services to customers. Our customer service representatives are enthusiastic and trustworthy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more information or a detailed discussion.
Reference
- Serrano-Puebla A, Boya P. (2018) Lysosomal membrane permeabilization as a cell death mechanism in cancer cells. Biochem Soc Trans. 46(2):207-215.