Where Does Autophagy Occur?

Autophagy (a Greek word that means "self-eating") is a catabolic process in eukaryotic cells that delivers cytoplasmic components and organelles to the lysosomes for digestion. Lysosomes are specialized organelles that break up macromolecules, allowing the cell to reuse the materials.

Where is autophagy in the cell?

The autophagosome then travels through the cytoplasm of the cell to a lysosome in mammals, or vacuoles in yeast and plants, and the two organelles fuse. Within the lysosome/vacuole, the contents of the autophagosome are degraded via acidic lysosomal hydrolase.

Does autophagy happen in all cells?

Autophagy is a natural process that occurs all the time in the cell, less when well-fed, and more when under stress. Autophagy may engulf non-specific cell components, or selectively remove damaged components or invasive bacteria and other pathogens.

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Consumer Tech & Gadget Reviewer

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.