Brief details about Lysosomes enzyme

Lysosomes are spherical vesicles enveloped by a single membrane. Lysosomes are regarded as the digestive tract of the cell, since they are actively involved in digestion of cellular substances—namely proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. 

Lysosomal enzymes are categorized as hydrolases. These include the enzymes (with substrate in brackets)—α-glucosidase (glycogen), cathepsins (proteins), lipases (lipids), ribonucleases (RNA). The lysosomal enzymes are responsible for maintaining the cellular compounds in a dynamic state, by their degradation and recycling. 

The degraded products leave the lysosomes, usually by diffusion, for reutilization by the cell. Sometimes, however, certain residual products, rich in lipids and proteins, collectively known as lipofuscin accumulate in the cell. 

Lipofuscin is the age pigment or wear and tear pigment which has been implicated in ageing process. As the cell dies, the lysosomes rupture and release hydrolytic enzymes that results in post-morteum autolysis. 

The digestive enzymes of cellular compounds are confined to the lysosomes in the best interest of the cell. Escape of these enzymes into cytosol will destroy the functional macromolecules of the cell and result in many complications. The occurrence of several diseases (e.g. arthritis, muscle diseases, allergic disorders) has been partly attributed to the release of lysosomal enzymes. 

Inclusion cell (I-cell) desease is a rare condition due to the absence of certain hydrolases in lysosomes. However, these enzyme are syntherized and found in the circulation. I-cell disease is due to a defect in protein targetting, as the enzymes cannot reach lysosomes.