Self-Eating for Muscle Fitness: Autophagy in the Control of Energy Metabolism

Cellular processes that sense and transmit metabolic changes are crucial for adaptation to external signals. In this regard, autophagy provides energy upon nutrient deprivation and represents a quality control mechanism that eliminates damaged organelles or proteins. Here, we review recent findings on the metabolic pathways controlling autophagy in skeletal muscle, a plastic tissue that undergoes major changes in energy demands. We also analyze the implications of autophagy in the regulation of energy metabolism in muscle and how alterations in this process affect energy homeostasis at the whole-body level and the development of metabolic diseases and aging. Autophagy is a process that provides energy in situations of nutrient deprivation and constitutes a quality control mechanism crucial in tissue homeostasis. Sebastián and Zorzano review current knowledge regarding the interconnection between muscle autophagy and energy metabolism and how alterations in autophagy impair muscle homeostasis.