Abstract

Autophagic-lysosomal degradation system in the pathogenesis of inherited metabolic rare diseases

Author(s): Ozlem Kutlu

Lysosomes are the most important degradative organelles of the cell, containing many hydrolytic enzymes, which are optimally active at an acid pH. Lysosomal functions are depend on coordinative action of lysosomal hydrolyzes and lysosomal membrane-bound proteins. Rare Diseases are defined as one that affects fewer than 200,000 people. Currently, six to seven thousand rare diseases have been known and the majority of them has a genetic component; can be caused by changes in a single gene, multiple genes or changes at the chromosomal level. Most people with inherited metabolic rare diseases have a defective gene that results in an enzyme deficiency. The mutations lead to defective hydrolysis in lysosome, which results in accumulation of metabolic substrates in the liver, spleen, bone marrow or central nervous system. The medical challenges of these diseases are still exist due to poorly understood pathology and limited therapy options. In cells, autophagy is one of the major degradation system, which engulf intracellular macromolecules by autophagosomes and deliver them to lysosomes for degradation. To date, autophagy abnormalities were observed in a variety of metabolic rare diseases. The aim of the talk will be to summarize about the autophagydependent molecular mechanism of these diseases and to discuss research efforts for their diagnosis and therapy.