Intracellular Ca2+ signaling: A novel player in the canonical mTOR-controlled autophagy pathway

摘要

Functional intracellular Ca~(2+) signaling is essential for the upregulation of the canonical mTOR-controlled autophagy pathway triggered by rapamycin or by nutrient deprivation. Moreover, modifications in the Ca~(2+)-signaling machinery coincide with autophagy stimulation. This results in enhanced intracellular Ca~(2+) signaling essential for driving the autophagy process. Yet, the mechanisms upstream (the players causing the changes in Ca~(2+) signaling) and downstream (the targets of the altered Ca~(2+) signals) of this Ca~(2+)-dependent autophagy pathway remain elusive. Here, we speculate about these mechanisms based on our current knowledge.