Does autophagy take a front seat in lifespan extension?

Abstract Introduction Signalling cascades regulating the ageing process Ageing and autophagy(definition) Signalling cascades regulating autophagy Pharmacological manipulations to induce autophagy Future perspectives This review focuses on the interrelationship between ageing and autophagy. There is a striking similarity between the signalling aspects of these two processes. Both ageing and autophagy involve several of the signalling components such as insulin/IGF‐1, AMPK, Ras‐cAMP‐PKA, Sch9 and mTOR(definition). Ageing and ageing‐mediated defective autophagy involve accumulation of lipofuscin. Components of anti‐ageing and autophagy include SirTs and FoxOs. Nutritional deprivation or calorie restriction as well as several nutriceuticals including resveratrol, spermidine, curcumin and piperine can enhance autophagy and increase lifespan. Such striking similarities indicate that lifespan is strongly dependent on autophagy.