Biology

Lipofuscin

Lipofuscin

Lipofuscin is a term, which is used for brownish fatty pigment granules. It also known as age-pigments, have three defining characteristics: (1) they consist of intracellular secondary lysosomes; (2) they have a yellow autofluorescent emission when excited by near ultraviolet or blue light; and (3) they accumulate during normal senescence. It is specifically arranged around the nucleus, and is a type of lipochrome. Lipofuscin is often referred to as an aging or “wear and tear” pigment due to its role in certain aspects of the aging process.