- Autophagy is a process whereby cells “eat themselves”.
- It is a fundamental process in cell physiology dealing with how the body breaks down and recycles cellular components.
- It is essential for the orderly recycling of damaged cell parts and its better understanding has major implications for health and disease, including cancer.
- Term “autophagy”, which comes from the Greek meaning self-eating
Importance of autophagy
- Autophagy is responsible for the gradual turnover of cytoplasmic organelles.
- Autophagy can rapidly provide fuel for energy and building blocks for renewal of cellular components.
- It essential for the cellular response to starvation and other types of stress. After infection, autophagy can eliminate invading intracellular bacteria and viruses.
- Autophagy contributes to embryo development and cell differentiation.
- Cells also use autophagy to eliminate damaged proteins and organelles, a quality control mechanism that is critical for counteracting the negative consequences of aging.
- Autophagy has major implications for health and disease and if disrupted, it can cause Parkinson’s and diabetes.
- Disturbances in the autophagic machinery have also been linked to cancer. Efforts are on to develop drugs that can target autophagy in various diseases