Picky eaters: selective autophagy in plant cells

Autophagy, a fundamental cellular process, plays a vital role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by degrading damaged or unnecessary components. While selective autophagy has been extensively studied in animal cells, its significance in plant cells has only recently gained attention. In this review, we delve into the intriguing realm selective autophagy in plants, with specific focus on its involvement in nutrient recycling, organelle turnover, and stress response. Moreover, recent studies have unveiled the interesting interplay between selective autophagy and epigenetic mechanisms in plants, elucidating the significance of epigenetic regulation in modulating autophagy-related gene expression and finely tuning the selective autophagy process in plants. By synthesizing existing knowledge, this review highlights the emerging field of selective autophagy in plant cells, emphasizing its pivotal role in maintaining nutrient homeostasis, facilitating cellular adaptation, and shedding light on the epigenetic regulation that governs these processes. Our comprehensive study provides the way for a deeper understanding of the dynamic control of cellular responses to nutrient availability and stress conditions, opening new avenues for future research in this field of autophagy in plant physiology. This review unravels the intricate interplay between selective autophagy and regulatory mechanisms in plant cells, providing valuable insights into crucial processes. Understanding these interactions expands our comprehension of cellular adaptation, nutrient responses, and holds promise for targeted interventions in plant physiology with implications across various scientific domains.

Automated summary

Selective autophagy plays a vital role in plant cells, involving nutrient recycling, organelle turnover, and stress response. Epigenetic mechanisms influence gene expression related to autophagy, regulating the selective autophagy process in plants. Studying these interactions can enhance understanding of cellular adaptation and nutrient responses.