Autophagy in White Adipose Tissue

Autophagy is a mechanism for intracellular degradation of cytoplasmic components including macromolecules and organelles. It has been shown to be involved in a large number of physiological and pathological processes. Studies have recently uncovered an important role of autophagy in the process of adipogenesis. In addition, some interesting correlations between autophagy activity and adipose functions have been made. This chapter explores the roles autophagy plays in adipocytes, detailing the core machinery of autophagy and highlighting what is currently understood about the functions of autophagy in differentiating and mature white adipocytes.