Autophagy and vacuole homeostasis: a case for self-degradation?

The vacuole of yeast plays an important role in pH- and ion-homeostasis. Another important function of the vacuole, especially during nutrient deprivation, is the degradation of proteins, other macromolecules and organelles. To deliver these components into the vacuolar lumen, specific and sophisticated transport pathways such as autophagy have evolved. This review will first look at autophagy and its relationship to vacuole homeostasis, then move to the topic of vacuole self-degradation and possible reasons for its existence, and close by pointing very briefly to some areas for further research in these topics.