autophagy
(aw-TAH-fuh-jee)
A process by
which a cell breaks down and destroys old, damaged, or
abnormal proteins and other substances in its cytoplasm
(the fluid inside a cell). The breakdown products are then
recycled for important cell functions, especially during
periods of stress or starvation. Autophagy also helps
destroy bacteria and viruses that cause infection and may
prevent normal cells from becoming cancer cells. Once
cancer has formed, autophagy may protect the cancer cells
by providing extra nutrients to them or by keeping
anticancer drugs or other substances from destroying them.
Autophagy may also affect the body’s immune response
against viruses, bacteria, and cancer
cells.