Autophagy: Many paths to the same end

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

406 Scopus citations

Abstract

Different mechanisms lead to the degradation of intracellular proteins in the lysosomal compartment. Activation of one autophagic pathway or another, under specific cellular conditions, plays an important role in the ability of the cell to adapt to environmental changes. Each form of autophagy has its own individual characteristics, but it also shares common steps and components with the others. This interdependence of the autophagic pathways confers to the lysosomal system, both specificity and flexibility on substrate degradation. We describe in this review some of the recent findings on the molecular basis and regulation for each of the different autophagic pathways. We also discuss the cellular consequences of their interdependent function. Malfunctioning of the autophagic systems has dramatic consequences, especially in non-dividing differentiated cells. Using the heart as an example of such cells, we analyze the relevance of autophagy in aging and cell death, as well as in different pathological conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-72
Number of pages18
JournalMolecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Volume263
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2004

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Cardiomyopathies
  • Cathepsins
  • Cellular death
  • Lysosomes
  • Protein targeting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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