Autophagy system as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases

Neurochem Int. 2022 May:155:105308. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105308. Epub 2022 Feb 15.

Abstract

Autophagy is an evolutionally conserved process by which cytoplasmic contents including protein aggregates and damaged organelles such as mitochondria and lysosomes, are sequestered by double-membrane structure, autophagosomes, and delivered to the lysosomes for degradation. Recently, considerable efforts have been made to reveal the role of autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Impairment of autophagy aggravates the accumulation of misfolded protein and damaged organelles in neurons, while sufficient autophagic activity reduces such accumulation in nervous system and ameliorates the pathology. Here we summarize recent progress regarding the role of autophagy in several neurodegenerative diseases and the potential autophagy-associated therapies for them.

Keywords: Aggregates; Autophagy; Neurodegenerative disease; Therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autophagy / physiology
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease* / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism