Excess accumulation of autophagosomes is a sign of transition from autophagy to cellular death

Autophagy is a protective mechanism against starvation in cells, associated with mTOR inactivation. Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death possessing certain morphological properties including shrinkage of cell and fragmentation of nucleus. In this review, in addition to studying molecular mechanisms involved in two processes of autophagy and apoptosis, relation between them is also investigated. Apparently, studies indicate conflicting results, some studies introducing autophagy as a protective mechanism and others as an inducer of toxicity and apoptotic death in cells. Along with elevating stress period or increasing dosage of stressors, factors which regulate autophagy may induce apoptosis. Furthermore, disruption of the autophagy flux leading to accumulation of autophagosomes (APHs) may cause transition from autophagy to cellular death.

کلیدواژه ها:

Apoptosis ، Autophagosome ، Autophagosome accumulation ، Autophagy ، Lysosome