Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
09:10
siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: October 28, 2019
Harnessing Neuronal Autophagy: Bridging Mechanistic Breakthroughs to Therapeutic Interventions
Nuzhat Ahsan1, Farheen Badrealam Khan2, Jhinuk Basu3
1Center for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), BliSc Cluster, Bengaluru, India.
Aging and Disease
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Autophagy is crucial for neuronal health, clearing cellular waste to prevent neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Restoring autophagy offers a promising therapeutic strategy for NDDs like Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Autophagy is a vital cellular degradation process essential for neuronal survival due to limited apoptosis capacity.
- Dysregulation of autophagy and lysosomal pathways is implicated in major neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the molecular mechanisms regulating autophagy in neuronal homeostasis.
- To explore the link between autophagy dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
- To review therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy for NDDs.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of molecular mechanisms of bulk and selective autophagy.
- Analysis of genetic mutations in autophagy-related and endolysosomal genes.
- Discussion of pathological roles of protein aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Examination of therapeutic interventions and ongoing clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Autophagy pathways are critical for maintaining neuronal health.
- Genetic factors and cellular dysfunction contribute to neurodegeneration via autophagy impairment.
- Therapeutic restoration of autophagic function shows promise for neurodegenerative disease treatment.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy plays an essential role in neuronal health and disease.
- Targeting autophagy pathways presents a viable therapeutic avenue for NDDs.
- Further research and clinical trials are warranted to develop effective autophagy-based therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Autophagy
Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
01:36Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome
Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...