ROS, mitochondria and the regulation of autophagy.
Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an oxidative stress to which cells respond by activating various defense mechanisms or, finally, by dying. At low levels, however, ROS act as signaling molecules in various intracellular processes. Autophagy, a process by which eukaryotic cells degrade and recycle macromolecules and organelles, has an important role in the cellular response to oxidative stress. Here, we review recent reports suggesting a regulatory role for ROS of mitochondrial origin as signaling molecules in autophagy, leading, under different circumstances, to either survival or cell death. We then discuss the relationship between mitochondria and autophagosomes and propose that mitochondria have an essential role in autophagosome biogenesis.
Scherz-Shouval
Ruth
R
Department of Biological Chemistry, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100 Israel.
Elazar
Zvulun
Z
D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D016923:Cell Death; D002470:Cell Survival; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010588:Phagosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*