The function of mitochondria and lysosomes has classically been studied separately.
However, evidence has now emerged of intense crosstalk between these two organelles,
such that the activity or stress status of one organelle may affect the other. Direct
physical contacts between mitochondria and the endolysosomal compartment have
been reported as a rapid means of interorganelle communication, mediating lipid
or other metabolite exchange. Moreover, mitochondrial derived vesicles can traffic
obsolete mitochondrial proteins into the endolysosomal system for their degradation
or secretion to the extracellular milieu as exosomes, representing an additional
mitochondrial quality control mechanism that connects mitochondria and lysosomes
independently of autophagosome formation. Here, we present what is currently known
about the functional and physical communication between mitochondria and lysosomes
or lysosome-related organelles, and their role in sustaining cellular homeostasis.
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