Energy depletion and autophagy. Cytochemical and biochemical studies in isolated rat hepatocytes

Summary In this paper, data dealing with the sensitivity of autophagy towards partial ATP depletion in isolated rat hepatocytes are reviewed. Partial reduction of intracellular ATP causes: (1) a decrease of proteolytic flux; (2) a decrease in uptake of cytosolic components into the autophagic-lysosomal compartment; (3) either a decrease or no change in the ratio between volume densities of autophagosomes and lysosomes, depending on whether or not the cytosolic phosphate potential is affected; and (4) impairment of the lysosomal proton pump. It is concluded that the consecutive steps of autophagy all respond to relatively small changes of intracellular ATP concentration.