Author/Editor		Erman, Andreja; Jezernik, Kristijan
Title		Avtofagija in njena vloga v zdravju in bolezni
Translated title		Autophagy and its role in health and in sickness
Type		članek
Source		Med Razgl
Vol. and No.		Letnik 49, št. 1
Publication year		2010
Volume		str. 77-88
Language		slo
Abstract		Autophagy is a catabolic process of the degradation of cellular components by lysosomal enzymes. It is essential for cellular homeostasis by maintaining the balance between the synthesis, degradation and turnover of intraceliular constituents. Its primary role is cytoprotective. It protects the cells against the accumulation of damaged organelles or protein aggregates and it ensures cell survival in extreme conditions like during starvation or oxidative stres. Three major forms of autophagy are known: chaperone-rriediated autophagy, rnicroautophagy and macroautophagy. In macroautophagy, long-lived proteins, organels and even specific nuclearregions could be eliminated. In this paper, macroautophagy is mostly in focus. Many human diseases like muscular disorders and neurodegenerative disorders appear as a consequence of autophagic malfunctioning. Excessive autophagy is celi-destructive and could lead even into autophagic (type II) programmed cell death. Autophagy participates also in celi defense against infectious disease. Autophagy has special role in cancer, where activated or inactivated benefit tumoral cells in different stages of cancer. New discoveries about mechani sms and regulation of autophagy would enable scientists to develop in future new methods for manipulating the activity of the autophagic path way as new therapeutic tools against some diseases, particularly muscular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.
Descriptors		AUTOPHAGOCYTOSIS PHAGOSOMES VACUOLES APOPTOSIS CELL DEATH AGING INFECTION NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES MUSCULAR DISEASES NEOPLASMS