About this Research Topic
Although autophagy has been described in all cells, until recently, its roles in skeletal muscle protein degradation, homeostasis and energy balance have largely been ignored. Recent evidence indicate that autophagy is activated in skeletal muscles in many catabolic conditions which are associated with muscle atrophy. These conditions include fasting, inactivity, denervation, diabetes, sepsis, and cancer. There is also evidence that the kinetics of autophagy is relatively long and requires enhanced transcription of several autophagy-related genes. Basal autophagy is critical for maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and healthy mitochondrial function. Despite this recent progress in elucidating the functional roles of autophagy in regulating skeletal muscle function and metabolism, its contribution to various muscle pathologies remains unclear.
We welcome submissions of the following article types: Brief Research Report, Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, and Review related to the following aspects of autophagy and mitophagy in skeletal muscles
• Role of autophagy in skeletal muscle injury and repair
• Epigenetic regulation of autophagy in skeletal muscles
• Exercise-induced autophagy: regulation and contribution to muscle metabolism
• Mechanisms and contribution of mitophagy to muscle function
• Functional role of autophagy in sarcopenia of the elderly
• The impact of nutrition and supplements on autophagy in skeletal muscles
• Contribution of autophagy to skeletal muscle dysfunction in respiratory diseases
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.