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Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body
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Microautophagy: current understanding of its molecular mechanisms and functions

Yasuyoshi Sakai1,2, Christian Behrends3, Jayanta Debnath4

  • 1Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Sustainability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Autophagy Reports
|February 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Microautophagy (MI-autophagy) involves membrane invagination within cellular compartments for degradation. This review details recent advances in understanding MI-autophagy

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Microautophagy (MI-autophagy) encompasses intracellular degradative pathways involving membrane invagination of endolysosomal compartments.
  • These pathways sequester cellular material for degradation within the lumen of organelles like late endosomes, lysosomes, or vacuoles.
  • Unlike macroautophagy, the molecular mechanisms of MI-autophagy are complex and not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in the field of microautophagy.
  • To describe the molecular basis of reported MI-autophagic pathways.
  • To outline the functions of MI-autophagy in eukaryotic cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent progress in microautophagy research.
  • Synthesis of information on molecular mechanisms and functions.
  • Comparative analysis across different eukaryotic cell types (yeast, mammalian, plant).

Main Results:

  • Recent studies have shed light on the diverse molecular machinery and regulation of MI-autophagy.
  • Specific MI-autophagic pathways have been identified and characterized in various organisms.
  • Understanding of MI-autophagy's role in cellular homeostasis and degradation is expanding.

Conclusions:

  • MI-autophagy represents a crucial yet complex cellular degradation process.
  • Continued research is vital for fully understanding its molecular underpinnings and physiological significance.
  • This review consolidates current knowledge, highlighting key findings and future directions in MI-autophagy research.
Keywords:
Endosomeslysosomesmultivesicular bodiesorganelle turnoverproteolysisvacuole

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