Protein homeostasis is essential for maintaining cell survival. Protein synthesis and degradation coordinately regulate protein homeostasis. Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) was the first lysosomal process to be discovered by which intracellular components are selectively degraded. This process involves the recognition of the substrate, the unfolding and translocation of the substrate, and the degradation of the substrate. By degrading specific target proteins in a timely manner, CMA is involved in a variety of cellular activities. In the past few years, we have acquired a better understanding of how CMA is regulated. It has been reported that peroxide accumulation, aging and/or other pathological signals interfere with CMA function, which in turn induces neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and other diseases. Combining results from the current research, we summarize the basic processes, regulatory mechanisms, and physiological functions of CMA and discuss its critical role in the development of diseases.
Keywords: Basic process; Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA); Microautophagy; Physiological function; Regulation.