Autophagy: cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Abstract in brief

• Autophagy is a process where cells break down and recycle their own components, like damaged organelles and misfolded proteins, to maintain energy balance and cellular health, especially during stress or development.
• It acts as a survival mechanism and helps prevent diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and infections by removing harmful materials, regulating cell aging, and supporting immune responses.
• The detailed molecular mechanisms of autophagy are complex and not fully understood, but disruptions in this process are associated with various health conditions, making it a key area of research for understanding disease prevention and treatment.]