TFEB-dependent lysosome biogenesis is required for senescence

The accumulation of senescent cells is recognised as a driver of tissue and organismal ageing. One of the gold-standard hallmarks of a senescent cell is an increase in lysosomal content, as measured by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (Sen beta-Gal) activity. The lysosome plays a central role in integrating mitogenic and stress cues to control cell metabolism, which is known to be dysregulated in senescence. Despite this, little is known about the cause and consequence of lysosomal biogenesis in senescence. We find here that lysosomes in senescent cells are dysfunctional; they have higher pH, increased evidence of membrane damage and reduced proteolytic capacity. The significant increase in lysosomal content is however sufficient to maintain degradative capacity of the cell to a level comparable to proliferating control cells. We demonstrate that increased nuclear TFEB/TFE3 supports lysosome biogenesis, is a hallmark of multiple forms of senescence and is required for senescent cell survival. TFEB/TFE3 are hypo-phosphorylated and show constitutive nuclear localisation in senescence. Evidence suggests that several pathways may contribute to TFEB/TFE3 dysregulation in senescence.