Antibodies for Autophagy

Macroautophagy, usually referred to as autophagy, is a major pathway for bulk degradation of cytoplasmic constituents and organelles. In this process, portions of the cytoplasm are sequestered into double membrane vesicles, the autophagosomes, and subsequently delivered to the lysosome for degradation and recycling. Although autophagy is a constitutive cellular event, it is enhanced under certain conditions such as starvation, hormonal stimulation, and drug treatments. Autophagy is required for normal turnover of cellular components during starvation. It plays an essential role in cellular differentiation, cell death, and aging. Defective autophagy may contribute to certain human diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, muscular disorders and pathogen infections. Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved pathway seen in all eukaryotic cells. At least 16 ATG genes, required for autophagosome formation were identified in yeast by genetic screens. For many of these genes, related homologs have been identified in mammals.