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Methods to Detect Loss of Lysosomal Membrane Integrity

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Autophagy

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1880))

Abstract

Loss of lysosomal membrane integrity, often referred to as lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), occurs in many instances of cell death either as an initiating or as an amplifying event. Currently, the best method for detecting LMP is the galectin puncta formation assay which can be used for a broad range of sample types, both fixed and live, is easy to perform, and highly sensitive. This method, which is similar to the widely used LC3 puncta formation assay for autophagy, is based on the translocation of galectins to damaged lysosomes resulting in a change from uniform to punctate staining pattern. Here, we provide protocols for the galectin puncta formation assay in fixed and live cells and for an alternative assay based on fluorescent dextran release from damaged lysosomes, which can be performed in parallel.

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Acknowledgments

The author is supported by the Danish Cancer Society, the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Brain Foundation, the Längmanska Cultural Fund, the Einar Willumsen Foundation, the Segerfalk Foundation, the Sigurd and Elsa Golje's Memorial Foundation and the Thora and Viggo Groves Memorial Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell Death and Lysosomes Group, Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Sonja Aits

  2. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

    Sonja Aits

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  1. Sonja Aits
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Correspondence to Sonja Aits .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Signalling Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK

    Nicholas Ktistakis

  2. Signalling Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK

    Oliver Florey

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Aits, S. (2019). Methods to Detect Loss of Lysosomal Membrane Integrity. In: Ktistakis, N., Florey, O. (eds) Autophagy. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1880. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8873-0_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8873-0_21

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-8872-3

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