Cell Models in Autophagy Research

AbstractAutophagy is highly conserved in organisms ranging from yeast to humans. C. elegans, D. melanogaster, zebrafish, and mice have been extensively used to study autophagy, though each of them has shortcomings. Suitable cell models are very important, and there is considerable potential for them to help advance autophagy research. Cell models have advantages in speed, stability, economy, etc. Moreover, experimental conditions are more easily controlled in cell models than in animal models. More than 40 ATG genes have been found in budding yeast and other fungi since 1992. As a model organism, yeast has a unique place in autophagy research and has become the most widely used cell model. It is almost equal to E. coli in terms of rapid proliferation, ease of culture, and handling. Yeast is also a good host for eukaryotic gene expression and can be used for screens that help clarify the function of unknown genes. However, as a lower unicellular organism, it is unable to show tissue-specific regulation of autophagy. Cells from higher organisms, such as humans or other animals, are indispensable. Deeper and more extensive study of autophagy using cell models such as nervous tissue-derived cell models, epithelial tissue-derived cell models, muscle tissue-derived cell models, blood cell, and immune cell models has made significant progress.