The physiological roles of autophagy in the mammalian life cycle. (21st September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Liang; Ye, Xiongjun; Zhao, Tongbiao
• Is Part Of: Biological reviews. Volume 94:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 503
• Page End: 516
• Publication Date: 2018-09-21
• Subjects: autophagy -- development -- life cycle -- mammal -- physiological roles; Biology -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1111/brv.12464
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-7931

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Autophagy is primarily an efficient intracellular catabolic pathway used for degradation of abnormal cellular protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Although autophagy was initially proposed to be a cellular stress responder, increasing evidence suggests that it carries out normal physiological roles in multiple biological processes. To date, autophagy has been identified in most organs and at many different developmental stages, indicating that it is not only essential for cellular homeostasis and renovation, but is also important for organ development. Herein, we summarize our current understanding of the functions of autophagy (which here refers to macroautophagy) in the mammalian life cycle.