Orchestrating the network of molecular pathways affecting aging: Role of nonselective autophagy and mitophagy

•Role of non-selective and selective autophagy.•Non-selective autophagy and mitophagy affect aging and lifespan of biological systems.•Molecular mechanisms controlling autophagy.•Interactions between autophagy and other quality control pathways.•Genetic and pharmacological interventions into autophagy can modulate lifespan of organisms. Autophagy is best known as a mechanism involved in cellular recycling of biomolecules during periods of nutritional starvation. More recently, an additional function of autophagy emerged: the selective degradation of functionally impaired or surplus proteins, organelles and invading bacteria. With this function autophagy is integrated in a network of pathways involved in molecular and cellular quality control with a key impact on development and aging. Impairments in the autophagic machinery lead to accelerated aging and the development of diseases. Here we focus on the role of nonselective autophagy and mitophagy, the selective autophagic degradation of mitochondria, on aging and lifespan of biological systems.