Disrupted pancreatic β-cell function and decreased β-cell number are two of the main causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Recent studies have indicated that autophagy plays an important role in protecting pancreatic β-cell and in maintaining the structure,number,and secretive function of pancreatic β-cell.Although autophagy has been a focus of study in recent years, including areas such as tumor,neural diseases and aging,but its relationship with pancreatic β-cell was not included.In this paper we review the concept of autophagy and its role in maintaining the normal function of pancreatic β-cells.