Gosset Molecular Classification
Pathway, Cellular Process
Other Names
Autophagy, Macroautophagy, Selective Autophagy
Disease Roles
Autophagy Pathway Overview
The autophagy pathway is a highly conserved cellular process responsible for degrading and recycling unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components through lysosome-dependent mechanisms. It plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, especially under stress conditions. The pathway involves several key stages: initiation, nucleation, expansion & cargo sequestration, maturation & fusion, and degradation & recycling. Dysregulation of autophagy is implicated in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases, making it a potential therapeutic target.
Mechanism of Action
mTOR inhibitors suppress mTOR activity, promoting autophagy. Autophagy inhibitors block lysosomal degradation, impairing autophagic flux.
Biological Functions
Cellular homeostasis
Degradation
Recycling
Cell survival
Immune response
Tumor suppression
Neuroprotection
Disease Associations
Cancer
Neurodegenerative diseases
Infectious diseases
Aging
Safety Considerations
- Off-target effects of autophagy modulators
- Context-dependent effects (e.g., autophagy can promote or inhibit cancer)
- Potential for drug resistance
Interacting Drugs
mTOR inhibitors (e.g., Rapamycin)
Autophagy inhibitors (e.g., Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine)
Associated Biomarkers
| Biomarker |
|---|
| LC3-II levels |
| p62/SQSTM1 levels |
| Autophagic flux assays |