"Heterogeneity in lysosomal dynamics and metabolic functions along the kidney proximal tubule"
The team of Prof. Andrew Hall has discovered that tiny structures inside kidney cells—called lysosomes—play distinct roles along the kidney’s proximal tubule, a key site for reabsorbing nutrients.
Using advanced live imaging, the researchers found that in the early tubule, lysosomes are primarily responsible for breaking down filtered proteins. In later segments, they instead process fats, helping regulate lipid handling in the kidney. Importantly, disrupting lysosomal function led to protein loss in urine and abnormal lipid release—both hallmarks of kidney disease.
These findings suggest that impaired lysosomal activity may contribute to kidney disorders involving proteinuria and lipid imbalance, offering potential new targets for therapeutic intervention.
The publication can be found in Nature Communications.