Model for the role of mitochondrial function in autophagy regulation under amino‐acid starvation. Amino‐acid starvation induces the two regulatory arms of the autophagic response, ATG8 induction and autophagic flux. Autophagic flux is regulated in an Atg1, PKA, and TORC1‐dependent manner, while ATG8 induction is regulated by PKA. Mitochondrial respiratory deficiency induces PKA activity and, thereby, suppresses both arms of the autophagic response. 