Energy deprivation-induced autophagy and aggrephagy: insights from yeast and mammals

Autophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis in response to various stimuli. Compared to research on nutrient deprivation-induced autophagy, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and physiological/pathological significance of autophagy triggered by energy deprivation remains limited. A primary focus of our lab is to elucidate how cells sense energy deprivation and initiate autophagy. Using the model organisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian cells, we found that cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage sensor Mec1, and mitochondrial aerobic respiration play essential roles in the autophagy induced by energy deprivation. This review aims to provide a concise overview of these research findings.