Autophagy

Autophagy lysosomes are vesicles of autophagic cells, and their substrates are endogenous, that is, cell metamorphosis, destruction of some organelles, or local cytoplasm. Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system that provides cytoplasmic components to lysosomes. This kind of lysosome widely exists in normal cells as a normal pathway for the abrasion and renewal of intracellular organelles and other structures. Autophagy has a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological functions. Autophagic lysosomes in normal cells play an important role in the digestion, decomposition, and natural replacement of some intracellular structures. When tissue cells are injured by various physical and chemical factors, autophagic lysosomes increase greatly, so they play a protective role against cell damage. Autophagy lysosomes are also common in diseased cells. Autophagy and its disorder are related to different human diseases or processes, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, immunity, or aging. Therefore, small molecules regulating autophagy seem to have great potential in regulating the clinical process of neurodegenerative diseases or promoting the chemotherapy response in tumor models.