More About Autophagy
Autophagy is a process where cellular components such as macroproteins or even whole organelles are sequestered into lysosomes for degradation. The lysosomes are then able to digest these substrates, the components of which can either be recycled to create new cellular structures and/or organelles or alternatively can be further processed and used as a source of energy. To date, three distinct forms of autophagy have been identified - macroautophagy, microautophagy and selective autophagy. Failure of autophagy as well as potentially allowing the development of cancer has also been associated (particularly in aged organisms) with the accumulation of protein aggregates in the neurons and the development of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease[1].