Abstract
Acidocalcisomes are acidic calcium stores that have been found from bacteria to human cells. They are rich in phosphorus compounds in the form of orthophosphate (P(i)), pyrophosphate (PP(i)), and polyphosphate (polyP) and their acidity is maintained by proton pumps such as the vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase (V-H(+)-PPase, or VP1), the vacuolar proton ATPase (V-H(+)-ATPase), or both. Recent studies in trypanosomatids and in other species have revealed their role in phosphate metabolism, and cation and water homeostasis, as suggested by the presence of novel pumps, transporters, and channels. An important role in autophagy has also been described. The study of the biogenesis of acidocalcisomes as well as of the interactions of these lysosome-related organelles with other organelles have uncovered important roles in calcium signaling and osmoregulation. Significantly, despite conservation of acidocalcisomes across all of cellular life, there is evidence for intimate integration of these organelles with eukaryotic cellular functions, and which are directly relevant to parasites.