How are lysosome membranes protected from the attack of hydrolases?

Question

Lysosomes are a bit like the *suicidal bags* of cells. They help to clean cells, have an acidic pH and contain a large number of hydrolyzing enzymes. But why don't these hydrolyzing enzymes attack and destroy lysosomes' membranes?

Answer 1

The hydrolase enzymes have to be able to freely access a substrate in order to bind to it and break up the molecule in question. Lysosome proteins are glycosylated, or heavily modified with sugar residues. These block the hydrolase enzymes from reaching their binding sites on the hydrolase enzymes.

It is similar to the stomach having a mucus layer to prevent the digestive enzymes from digesting the stomach.

Answer 2

The hydrolase enzymes have to be able to freely access a substrate in order to bind to it and break up the molecule in question. Lysosome proteins are glycosylated, or heavily modified with sugar residues. These block the hydrolase enzymes from reaching their binding sites on the hydrolase enzymes.

It is similar to the stomach having a mucus layer to prevent the digestive enzymes from digesting the stomach.