Autophagy and aging: the importance of maintaining "clean" cells.
A decrease in the turnover of cellular components and the intracellular accumulation of altered macromolecules and organelles are features common to all aged cells. Diminished autophagic activity plays a major role in these age-related manifestations. In this work we review the molecular defects responsible for the malfunctioning of two forms of autophagy, macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy, in old mammals, and highlight general and cell-type specific consequences of dysfunction of the autophagic system with age. Dietary caloric restriction and antilipolytic agents have been proven to efficiently stimulate autophagy in old rodents. These and other possible experimental restorative efforts are discussed.
Cuervo
Ana Maria
AM
Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. amcuervo@aecom.yu.edu
Bergamini
Ettore
E
Brunk
Ulf T
UT
Dröge
Wulf
W
Ffrench
Martine
M
Terman
Alexei
A
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure