Essential role of autophagy in resource allocation during sexual reproduction

Autophagy. 2020 Jan;16(1):18-27. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2019.1628543. Epub 2019 Jun 16.

Abstract

Sexual reproduction is the most common form of reproduction among eukaryotes, which is characterized by a series of massive cellular or tissue renovations. Recent studies have revealed novel functions of autophagy during sexual reproductive processes, ranging from yeast to mammals. In mammals, autophagy is indispensable for spermatogenesis and oogenesis, and it participates in early embryonic development and maternal-fetus crosstalk to ensure the development of embryos or fetuses. Thus, autophagy provides the molecular basis for resource allocation among parents and their offspring, providing an important way to benefit the next generation.Abbreviations: ATG: autophagy-related; Becn1: beclin 1, autophagy related; CMA: chaperone-mediated autophagy; epg: ectopic PGL granules; ES: ectoplasmic specialization; EVTs: extravillous trophoblasts; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; PCD: programmed cell death; PTB: preterm birth; STB: syncytiotrophoblast.

Keywords: Autophagy; embryogenesis; gametogenesis; resource allocation; sexual reproduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Autophagy / physiology*
  • Beclin-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Resource Allocation*
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Beclin-1

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [91649202]; Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences [XDA16020701]; National Key R&D Program of China [2016YFA0500901] .