Figure 3. Role of intracellular Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺ permeable channels in autophagy.

Schematic diagram showing intracellular Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺ permeable channels in the control of autophagy. Stimulation of Ca²⁺ permeable channels by various environmental stresses like nutrient depression and serum starvation activates both excited and non-excited Ca²⁺ channels in the neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Stimulation of the channels also results in release of the store Ca²⁺ from the ER and Golgi bodies. These results in ER stress and disturbed Ca²⁺ homeostasis in the cells; which via various Ca²⁺ regulated proteins like ERK, calpains, cAMP regulates the autophagy processes.