Lipofuscin

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Lipofuscin

Lipofuscin (pronounced: li-po-fus-kin) is a type of lipochrome, a yellow-brown pigment found in the lysosomes of postmitotic cells, such as neurons and heart muscle cells.

Etymology

The term "Lipofuscin" is derived from the Greek words "lipos" meaning fat and "fuscus" meaning dark. It was first described in 1912 by the German pathologist Maximow.

Definition

Lipofuscin is a waste product that accumulates in various types of cells and tissues over time, and is often referred to as an "aging pigment". It is composed of lipids and proteins, and is a byproduct of the wear and tear of cellular components, particularly in the mitochondria and lysosomes.

Related Terms

  • Lipochrome: A group of pigments found in animal tissues, of which lipofuscin is a member.
  • Lysosome: A cell organelle that contains digestive enzymes and is the primary site of lipofuscin accumulation.
  • Mitochondria: The organelle responsible for energy production in cells, and a major source of the waste products that form lipofuscin.
  • Maximow: The pathologist who first described lipofuscin.
  • Postmitotic cells: Cells that have exited the cell cycle and no longer divide, such as neurons and heart muscle cells. These cells tend to accumulate lipofuscin over time.

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