title: Autophagy modulation as a potential therapeutic target for diverse diseases.
abstract: Autophagy is an essential, conserved lysosomal degradation pathway that controls the quality of the cytoplasm by eliminating protein aggregates and damaged organelles. It begins when double-membraned autophagosomes engulf portions of the cytoplasm, which is followed by fusion of these vesicles with lysosomes and degradation of the autophagic contents. In addition to its vital homeostatic role, this degradation pathway is involved in various human disorders, including metabolic conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers and infectious diseases. This article provides an overview of the mechanisms and regulation of autophagy, the role of this pathway in disease and strategies for therapeutic modulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK. dcr1000@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Rubinsztein
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Codogno
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations