Autophagy

Definition

Autophagy is a conserved lysosome-dependent degradation pathway that sequesters damaged proteins and organelles for recycling, thereby restoring intracellular homeostasis and reallocating nutrients under stress conditions.[1][3][4]

Biological Context

Basal autophagy maintains protein quality control and mitochondrial integrity by removing misfolded proteins and damaged organelles, while inducible autophagy supports energy balance during nutrient or oxidative stress.[1][2][3]

Relevance to Ageing Research

Autophagy efficiency often declines with age, which is associated with increased cellular damage and reduced stress resilience. Ageing research therefore tests whether sustaining autophagic flux can preserve tissue function and improve healthspan outcomes across model systems.[2][4]

References

1. Klionsky, D.J., et al. (2022). Autophagy: A Key Regulator of Homeostasis and Disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9329718/
2. Hansen, M., et al. (2024). Autophagy in Its (Proper) Context: Molecular Basis, Biological Relevance, and Implications for Ageing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38725847/
3. Mizushima, N., et al. (2018). Autophagy: An Essential Degradation Program for Cellular Homeostasis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6315530/
4. Levine, B., et al. (2010). Autophagy: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2990190/