Zn2+ efflux through lysosomal exocytosis prevents Zn2+-induced toxicity.

Zn(2+) is an essential micronutrient and an important ionic signal whose excess, as well as scarcity, is detrimental to cells. Free cytoplasmic Zn(2+) is controlled by a network of Zn(2+) transporters and chelating proteins. Recently, lysosomes became the focus of studies in Zn(2+) transport, as they were shown to play a role in Zn(2+)-induced toxicity by serving as Zn(2+) sinks that absorb Zn(2+) from the cytoplasm. Here, we investigated the impact of the lysosomal Zn(2+) sink on the net cellular Zn(2+) distribution and its role in cell death. We found that lysosomes played a cytoprotective role during exposure to extracellular Zn(2+). Such a role required lysosomal acidification and exocytosis. Specifically, we found that the inhibition of lysosomal acidification using Bafilomycin A1 (Baf) led to a redistribution of Zn(2+) pools and increased apoptosis. Additionally, the inhibition of lysosomal exocytosis through knockdown (KD) of the lysosomal SNARE proteins VAMP7 and synaptotagmin VII (SYT7) suppressed Zn(2+) secretion and VAMP7 KD cells had increased apoptosis. These data show that lysosomes play a central role in Zn(2+) handling, suggesting that there is a new Zn(2+) detoxification pathway.