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Autophagy in cell death: an innocent convict?
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9113, USA. beth.levin@utsouthwestern.edu
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|October 4, 2005
Summary
Autophagy, initially thought to cause cell death, is primarily a survival mechanism. Research using cells lacking autophagy genes confirms its role in promoting cell survival, not programmed cell death.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Autophagy, the process of cellular self-degradation, was historically linked to programmed cell death.
- The presence of autophagosomes in dying cells suggested autophagy as a non-apoptotic cell death pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the role of autophagy in cell death versus cell survival.
- To analyze the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis.
- To explore the clinical relevance of autophagy in diseases.
Main Methods:
- Examination of cells and organisms genetically deficient in autophagy.
- Review of existing scientific literature on autophagy and cell death pathways.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests autophagy acts as a pro-survival mechanism, especially when apoptotic pathways are functional.
- Autophagy is not predominantly a form of programmed cell death.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy primarily supports cell survival, challenging its role as a direct cell death pathway.
- Understanding the complex relationship between autophagy and apoptosis is crucial for disease research.
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