Lipofuscin: formation, effects and role of macroautophagy

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of the aging process and age dependent diseases. Both are closely connected to disturbances of proteostasis by protein oxidation and an impairment of the proteasomal system. The final consequence is the accumulation of highly cross-linked unclegradable aggregates such as lipoluscin. These aggregates of damaged proteins are detrimental to normal cell functions. Here we provide an overview about effect of these aggregates on the proteasomal system, followed by transcription factor activation and loss of cell viability. Furthermore, findings on the mechanism of radical genesis, proteasomal inhibition and the required components of lipofuscin formation were resumed. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.