The vacuole versus the lysosome: when size matters

Autophagy. 2014 Feb;10(2):185-7. doi: 10.4161/auto.27367. Epub 2013 Dec 9.

Abstract

The morphometric examination of autophagic bodies provides useful information about the mechanism and magnitude of macroautophagy, and yeast researchers frequently utilize various measurements of these structures as part of their quantification of the process. The utility of this approach, however, has led to the common misconception that autophagic bodies can be found in the mammalian lysosome, which is generally not correct.

Keywords: autophagic body; autophagy; lysosome; stress; vacuole.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / ultrastructure*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / ultrastructure
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Vacuoles / metabolism
  • Vacuoles / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins