Degradation of the Organic Phase of Bone by Osteoclasts: A Secondary Role for Lysosomal Acidification

Abstract

These data clearly show that osteoclastic acidification of the lysosomes plays a hitherto nonrecognized role in degradation of the organic matrix. Furthermore, these data shed light on the complicated interplay between acidification dependent and independent proteolytic processes, mediated by cathepsin K and the MMPs, respectively.