Autophagy

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-012908",
  "term": "Autophagy",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A catabolic process by which a cell degrades its own components, such as damaged organelles or misfolded proteins, within its lysosomes. This cellular self-digestion mechanism involves the formation of a double-membraned vesicle, an autophagosome, which engulfs the cytoplasmic material and then fuses with a lysosome for breakdown and recycling of the resulting macromolecules. Autophagy is distinct from heterophagy, which is the lysosomal degradation of material originating from outside the cell.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "antigen presentation",
    "heterophagy",
    "lysosome",
    "macroautophagy",
    "microautophagy",
    "mitophagy",
    "pexophagy"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. 'IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 1131 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-11-06-03)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/autophagy/"
}