The Process of Autophagy

3. Sequestration

The first phase in autophagy is sequestriation. A unique membrane forms called a phagophore, enclosing organelles or other components of the cell that need eliminating. Once the phagophore completely encapsulates the object, an autophagosome forms. Autophagosomes typically have a double membrane and, depending on the size, may be visible as a ring under an electron microscope. There is no degradation in this phase. Sequestration is about isolating and encapsulating the elements that need eliminating.