Autophagy: principles and significance in health and disease - PubMed (original) (raw)
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Autophagy: principles and significance in health and disease
Virginia Todde et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 Jan.
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Abstract
Degradation processes are important for optimal functioning of eukaryotic cells. The two major protein degradation pathways in eukaryotes are the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and autophagy. This contribution focuses on autophagy. This process is important for survival of cells during nitrogen starvation conditions but also has a house keeping function in removing exhausted, redundant or unwanted cellular components. We present an overview of the molecular mechanism involved in three major autophagy pathways: chaperone mediated autophagy, microautophagy and macroautophagy. Various recent reports indicate that autophagy plays a crucial role in human health and disease. Examples are presented of lysosomal storage diseases and the role of autophagy in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, defense against pathogens and cell death.