Phenomena and Processes

Autophagy

The segregation and degradation of various cytoplasmic constituents via engulfment by MULTIVESICULAR BODIES; VACUOLES; or AUTOPHAGOSOMES and their digestion by LYSOSOMES. It plays an important role in BIOLOGICAL METAMORPHOSIS and in the removal of bone by OSTEOCLASTS. Defective autophagy is associated with various diseases, including NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES and cancer.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The segregation and degradation of various cytoplasmic constituents via engulfment by MULTIVESICULAR BODIES; VACUOLES; or AUTOPHAGOSOMES and their digestion by LYSOSOMES. It plays an important role in BIOLOGICAL METAMORPHOSIS and in the removal of bone by OSTEOCLASTS. Defective autophagy is associated with various diseases, including NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES and cancer.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

9 entry terms
  • Autophagocytosis
  • Autophagy, Cellular
  • Cellular Autophagy
  • ER-Phagy
  • Lipophagy
  • Nucleophagy
  • Reticulophagy
  • Ribophagy
  • ER Phagy

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

general or unspecified; note specifics; do not confuse with AUTOPHAGIC CELL DEATH, a form of regulated cell death

MeSH Record

History Note

2006(1979)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Autolysis (1968-1978)
  • Lysosomes (1966-1978)
  • Phagocytosis (1966-1978)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G04.011w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 375

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Autophagy. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D001343. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D001343
  2. Autophagy. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autophagy
  3. Autophagy. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q288322