Causes and consequences of DNA damage-induced autophagy

Autophagy is a quality control pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis by recycling surplus and dysregulated cell organelles. Identification of selective autophagy receptors demonstrated the existence of pathways that selectively degrade organelles, protein aggregates or pathogens. Interestingly, different types of DNA damage can induce autophagy and autophagy-deficiency leads to genomic instability. Recent studies provided first insights into the pathways that connect autophagy with the DNA damage response. However, the physiological role of autophagy and the identity of its targets after DNA damage remain enigmatic. In this review, we summarize recent literature on the targets of autophagy and mechanisms that lead to its activation after DNA damage, and discuss potential consequences of DNA damage-induced autophagy.