Autophagy and mitophagy in cellular damage control

Abstract

Autophagy and mitophagy are important cellular processes that are responsible for breaking down cellular contents, preserving energy and safeguarding against accumulation of damaged and aggregated biomolecules. This graphic review gives a broad summary of autophagy and discusses examples where autophagy is important in controlling protein degradation. In addition we highlight how autophagy and mitophagy are involved in the cellular responses to reactive species and mitochondrial dysfunction. The key signaling pathways for mitophagy are described in the context of bioenergetic dysfunction.

Keywords

• Neurodegeneration
• Alpha-synuclein
• Lysosomes
• Fission
• Fusion
• Reactive species
• Cellular bioenergetics
• Pharmacological agents