Dynamics of macroautophagy: Modeling and oscillatory behavior

We propose a model for macroautophagy and study the resulting dynamics of autophagy in a system isolated from its extra-cellular environment. It is found that the intracellular concentrations of autophagosomes and autolysosomes display oscillations with their own natural frequencies. Such oscillatory behaviors, which are interrelated to the dynamics of intracellular ATP, amino acids, and proteins, are consistent with the very recent biological observations. Implications of this theoretical study of autophagy are discussed, with regard to the possibility of guiding molecular studies of autophagy. ► We propose a model for macroautophagy and study the resulting dynamics. ► This is the first biophysical model, based on physiological research. ► Observed are oscillations of concentrations of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. ► They are interrelated to dynamics of intracellular ATP, amino acids, and proteins.