Advances in research on the modulation of autophagy by Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway

Autophagy is a conserved self-defense mechanism of organism, degrading the necrotic organelles and excess protein into small molecules for recycling. Autophagy plays a role in both physiological and pathological condition, influencing the expression of intracellular substance through multiple signaling pathways. Although it has been demonstrated that Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway was not only extensively involved in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, but was also implicated in autophagy and autophagic cell death, though its detailed mechanisms involved in regulation of autophagy has not been fully elucidated yet. This review focused on the advances of autophagy induced by Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, to better understand the role of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in regulation of autophagy.