Role of mTOR in autophagic and lysosomal reactions to environmental stressors in molluscs.

•The autophagic process in digestive gland of B[a]P exposed mussels was investigated.•B[a]P accumulated in lysosomes/enlarged lipid-rich lysosomes of digestive cells.•At higher doses B[a]P overstimulated the autophagy and increased cell catabolism.•B[a]P-induced dephosphorylation of mTOR may explain the observed pathological effects.•Network connectedness showed that pathology results in a loss of system complexity.