arrestin-2

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles responsible for the degradation of various biological macromolecules. Vesicles containing hydrolytic enzymes bud from the Golgi and fuse with endosomes to form the mature lysosome capable of breaking down various types of cargo. Their general function in recycling biological molecules places lysosomes at center of various processes including autophagy, endyocytosis, and phagocytosis.

LAMP2 belongs to the family of membrane glycoproteins who confer selectins with carbohydrate ligands. LAMP2 has been implicated in tumor cell metastasis, as well as overall protection, maintenance, and adhesion of the lysosome. It appears that LAMP2 may protect the lysosomal membrane from autophagy, as well as maintain the required acidic environment necessary for proper function.  LAMP2 is a single-pass type I membrane protein that shuttles between endosomes, lysosomes, and the plasma membrane.