These results are substantially different from other recently reported mouse models of pancreatic autophagy inhibition (Atg5-Crep48, Atg5-CrePdx1 or Atg7-CrePdx1), which manifested a less severe pancreatitis, longer survival and major gender differences.4, 7 Pancreatic α-amylase was strongly reduced in 12-week-old Atg7Δpan mice compared with Atg7F/F controls, indicating a major pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (Supplementary Figure S2B). Here, ATG7 is linked to pancreatitis.