Atomistic autophagy: the structures of cellular self-digestion

Cell. 2014 Apr 10;157(2):300-311. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.01.070.

Abstract

Autophagy is directed by numerous distinct autophagy-related (Atg) proteins. These transmit starvation-induced signals to lipids and regulatory proteins and assemble a double-membrane autophagosome sequestering bulk cytoplasm and/or selected cargos destined for degradation upon autophagosome fusion with a vacuole or lysosome. This Review discusses the structural mechanisms by which Atg proteins sense membrane curvature, mediate a PI(3)P-signaling cascade, and utilize autophagy-specific ubiquitin-like protein cascades to tether proteins to autophagosomal membranes. Recent elucidation of molecular interactions enabling vesicle nucleation, elongation, and cargo recruitment provides insights into how dynamic protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions may dictate size, shape, and contents of autophagosomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy*
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Phagosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins