Figure 2From: Autophagy and lysosomal dysfunction as emerging mechanisms of nanomaterial toxicity Autophagy. 1) During autophagy, a double layer membrane, the autophagosome, is formed that surrounds proteins and damaged organelles destined for degradation. 2) The autophagosome then merges with the lysosome, where hydrolytic enzymes in the lysosome dismantle the autophagosome contents. 3) The autophagy pathway is interconnected with the endocytosis pathways, with most endosomes eventually merging with the lysosome.Back to article page