Autophagy begins with the formation of a double-membrane vesicle called an isolation membrane or phagophore. This membrane engulfs the targeted cellular components, forming a structure known as an autophagosome. The autophagosome then fuses with a lysosome, where the enclosed material is degraded and recycled. This fusion forms an autolysosome, where lysosomal enzymes break down the contents, allowing the resulting molecules to be reused by the cell.
