Formation of autophagosomes in the pinealocytes of the rat and mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): a lysosome wrapping mechanism?

Autophagosome formation in rat and gerbil pinealocytes is described. It starts with the setting up of a tubular acid phosphatase-rich cisterna which gradually wraps around cytoplasmic areas to be catabolized. In light of obtained findings, it seems that the autophagosome formation in pinealocytes is a type of lysosome wrapping mechanism.