Abstract
Intracellular membrane-bounded organelles of eukaryotic cells transiently contact the extracellular environment during endocytosis and secretion. Such contacts must be precisely timed to prevent leakage of cargo. I argue that early eukaryotes evolved organelle acidification as a way to detect and prevent leakage.
Highlights
Intracellular membrane-bounded organelles of eukaryotic cells transiently contact the extracellular environment during endocytosis and secretion
Lysosomes and secretory vesicles fuse with maturing endosomes, delivering the hydrolase enzymes which break down the available nutrients
Just as for prokaryotic extracellular digestion, eukaryotic intracellular digestion requires the transport of enzymes across a membrane
Summary
Intracellular membrane-bounded organelles of eukaryotic cells transiently contact the extracellular environment during endocytosis and secretion. Lysosomes and secretory vesicles fuse with maturing endosomes, delivering the hydrolase enzymes which break down the available nutrients. Just as for prokaryotic extracellular digestion, eukaryotic intracellular digestion requires the transport of enzymes across a membrane.
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