Autophagy is a conserved mechanism whereby cells form double membrane autophagosomes to sequester cytoplasmic components for subsequent destruction by fusion with lysosomes (eukaryotes) or vacuoles (yeast). Targets of autophagy include aging proteins, damaged organelles and invasive pathogens, and the resulting breakdown products can be recycled back to the cytoplasm for re-use under conditions of starvation (1).
