Key Points
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Autophagy has a crucial regulatory role in energy metabolism; consequently, dysregulation of autophagy can contribute to the development of metabolic disorders
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Autophagy maintains energy balance in situations of nutrient deficiency by degradation of energy stores, such as proteins, lipid droplets and glycogen
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Amino acids, fatty acids and glucose modulate the core components of the autophagy machinery; hence, overnutrition can lead to dysregulation of this process
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Autophagy influences energy metabolism both locally (tissue-specific effects) and globally (endocrine effects)
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Pharmacological modulation of autophagy could prove feasible for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders
Abstract
Knowledge gained over the past 10 years about the mechanisms that underpin autophagy has provided a universal framework for studies of diverse physiological and pathological processes. Of particular interest is the emerging role of autophagy in the maintenance of energy homeostasis, both at the cellular level and within the organism as a whole. Dysregulation of autophagy might contribute to the development of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, obesity, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. The authors of this Review highlight research findings on the regulation of cellular autophagy by nutrients. They also describe the role of autophagy in various tissues in the regulation of energy metabolism and the development of diseases related to altered metabolism. Finally, the potential of pharmacological modulation of autophagy as a treatment for human metabolic disorders is discussed.
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Acknowledgements
K.H.K. is supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education (2013R1A6A3A04065825). M.-S.L. is supported by the Global Research Laboratory Grant of the National Research Foundation of Korea (K21004000003-10A0500-00310) and by grants from the Samsung Biomedical Research Institute (SP1-B2-051-2 and GE1B30911).
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K.H.K. and M.-S.L. contributed equally to writing the article and to review and/or editing of the manuscript before submission.
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Kim, K., Lee, MS. Autophagy—a key player in cellular and body metabolism. Nat Rev Endocrinol 10, 322–337 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.35
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.35
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