Abstract
Several cellular survival pathways help buffer cells against environmental stresses. The DNA damage response (DDR) activates a highly conserved signaling cascade that (1) enforces cell cycle arrest and (2) promotes the repair of DNA lesions. The autophagy pathway primarily aids cellular survival under conditions of poor nutrient availability by scavenging internal reserves of macromolecules in order to recycle molecular building blocks. Autophagy can also target the degradation of specific substrates, including damaged organelles and proteins. Communication between these pathways has been a recent focus of investigation. In this chapter we review the connection between the DDR and autophagy with a special emphasis on the molecules that mediate this cross talk and the physiological relevance of this phenomenon.