Focus on Autophagy
Inside the cell, there are multiple mechanisms to degrade intra- and extra-cellular components. Autophagy is a non-specific pathway that sequesters cytoplasmic contents via double membranes to recycle intracellular contents. It was initially characterized as a starvation response. When cells are depleted of nutrients, they must break down cellular components that are not necessary to supply the building blocks for those that are. This recycling process – autophagy – is more efficient than creating or manufacturing individual macromolecules. Autophagy is critical for cell and tissue homeostasis and when disrupted, can lead to a variety of disease states including cancer, increased pathogen replication, heart disease, pro-aging, and neurological disorders.
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