Autophagy-related protein 8 (Atg8) family interacting motif in Atg3 mediates the Atg3-Atg8 interaction and is crucial for the cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting pathway

Dynamic regulation of macroautophagy by distinctive ubiquitin-like proteins

Autophagy complements the ubiquitin-proteasome system in mediating protein turnover. Whereas the proteasome degrades individual proteins modified with ubiquitin chains, autophagy degrades many proteins and organelles en masse. Macromolecules destined for autophagic degradation are 'selected' through sequestration within a specialized double-membrane compartment termed the phagophore, the precursor to an autophagosome, and then are hydrolyzed in a lysosome- or vacuole-dependent manner. Notably, a pair of distinctive ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs), Atg8 and Atg12, regulate degradation by autophagy in unique ways by controlling autophagosome biogenesis and recruitment of specific cargos during selective autophagy. Here we review structural mechanisms underlying the functions and conjugation of these UBLs that are specialized to provide interaction platforms linked to phagophore membranes.

Receptor-mediated mitophagy in yeast and mammalian systems

Mitophagy, or mitochondria autophagy, plays a critical role in selective removal of damaged or unwanted mitochondria. Several protein receptors, including Atg32 in yeast, NIX/BNIP3L, BNIP3 and FUNDC1 in mammalian systems, directly act in mitophagy. Atg32 interacts with Atg8 and Atg11 on the surface of mitochondria, promoting core Atg protein assembly for mitophagy. NIX/BNIP3L, BNIP3 and FUNDC1 also have a classic motif to directly bind LC3 (Atg8 homolog in mammals) for activation of mitophagy. Recent studies have shown that receptor-mediated mitophagy is regulated by reversible protein phosphorylation. Casein kinase 2 (CK2) phosphorylates Atg32 and activates mitophagy in yeast. In contrast, in mammalian cells Src kinase and CK2 phosphorylate FUNDC1 to prevent mitophagy. Notably, in response to hypoxia and FCCP treatment, the mitochondrial phosphatase PGAM5 dephosphorylates FUNDC1 to activate mitophagy. Here, we mainly focus on recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the activation of receptor-mediated mitophagy and the implications of this catabolic process in health and disease.

The LIR motif - crucial for selective autophagy

(Macro)autophagy is a fundamental degradation process for macromolecules and organelles of vital importance for cell and tissue homeostasis. Autophagy research has gained a strong momentum in recent years because of its relevance to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, muscular dystrophy, lipid storage disorders, development, ageing and innate immunity. Autophagy has traditionally been thought of as a bulk degradation process that is mobilized upon nutritional starvation to replenish the cell with building blocks and keep up with the energy demand. This view has recently changed dramatically following an array of papers describing various forms of selective autophagy. A main driving force has been the discovery of specific autophagy receptors that sequester cargo into forming autophagosomes (phagophores). At the heart of this selectivity lies the LC3-interacting region (LIR) motif, which ensures the targeting of autophagy receptors to LC3 (or other ATG8 family proteins) anchored in the phagophore membrane. LIR-containing proteins include cargo receptors, members of the basal autophagy apparatus, proteins associated with vesicles and of their transport, Rab GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and specific signaling proteins that are degraded by selective autophagy. Here, we comment on these new insights and focus on the interactions of LIR-containing proteins with members of the ATG8 protein family.

Identification of an Atg8-Atg3 protein-protein interaction inhibitor from the medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box active in blood and liver stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites

Atg8 is a ubiquitin-like autophagy protein in eukaryotes that is covalently attached (lipidated) to the elongating autophagosomal membrane. Autophagy is increasingly appreciated as a target in diverse diseases from cancer to eukaryotic parasitic infections. Some of the autophagy machinery is conserved in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium. Although Atg8's function in the parasite is not well understood, it is essential for Plasmodium growth and survival and partially localizes to the apicoplast, an indispensable organelle in apicomplexans. Here, we describe the identification of inhibitors from the Malaria Medicine Venture Malaria Box against the interaction of PfAtg8 with its E2-conjugating enzyme, PfAtg3, by surface plasmon resonance. Inhibition of this protein-protein interaction prevents PfAtg8 lipidation with phosphatidylethanolamine. These small molecule inhibitors share a common scaffold and have activity against both blood and liver stages of infection by Plasmodium falciparum. We have derivatized this scaffold into a functional platform for further optimization.

Interactions between autophagy receptors and ubiquitin-like proteins form the molecular basis for selective autophagy

Selective autophagy ensures recognition and removal of various cytosolic cargoes. Hence, aggregated proteins, damaged organelles, or pathogens are enclosed into the double-membrane vesicle, the autophagosome, and delivered to the lysosome for degradation. This process is mediated by selective autophagy receptors, such as p62/SQSTM1. These proteins recognize autophagic cargo and, via binding to small ubiquitin-like modifiers (UBLs)--Atg8/LC3/GABARAPs and ATG5--mediate formation of selective autophagosomes. Recently, it was found that UBLs can directly engage the autophagosome nucleation machinery. Here, we review recent findings on selective autophagy and propose a model for selective autophagosome formation in close proximity to cargo.

Atomistic autophagy: the structures of cellular self-digestion

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.

Organ-specific quality control of plant peroxisomes is mediated by autophagy

Peroxisomes are essential organelles that are characterized by the possession of enzymes that produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as part of their normal catalytic cycle. During the metabolic process, peroxisomal proteins are inevitably damaged by H2O2 and the integrity of the peroxisomes is impaired. Here, we show that autophagy, an intracellular process for vacuolar degradation, selectively degrades dysfunctional peroxisomes. Marked accumulation of peroxisomes was observed in the leaves but not roots of autophagy-related (ATG)-knockout Arabidopsis thaliana mutants. The peroxisomes in leaf cells contained markedly increased levels of catalase in an insoluble and inactive aggregate form. The chemically inducible complementation system in ATG5-knockout Arabidopsis provided the evidence that these accumulated peroxisomes were delivered to vacuoles for degradation by autophagy. Interestingly, autophagosomal membrane structures specifically recognized the abnormal peroxisomes at the site of the aggregates. Thus, autophagy is essential for the quality control of peroxisomes in leaves and for proper plant development under natural growth conditions.

Structural biology of the macroautophagy machinery

Macroautophagy is a conserved degradative process mediated through formation of a unique double-membrane structure, the autophagosome. The discovery of autophagy-related (Atg) genes required for autophagosome formation has led to the characterization of approximately 20 genes mediating this process. Recent structural studies of the Atg proteins have provided the molecular basis for their function. Here we summarize the recent progress in elucidating the structural basis for autophagosome formation.

The LC3 interactome at a glance

Continuous synthesis of all cellular components requires their constant turnover in order for a cell to achieve homeostasis. To this end, eukaryotic cells are endowed with two degradation pathways - the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the lysosomal pathway. The latter pathway is partly fed by autophagy, which targets intracellular material in distinct vesicles, termed autophagosomes, to the lysosome. Central to this pathway is a set of key autophagy proteins, including the ubiquitin-like modifier Atg8, that orchestrate autophagosome initiation and biogenesis. In higher eukaryotes, the Atg8 family comprises six members known as the light chain 3 (LC3) or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) proteins. Considerable effort during the last 15 years to decipher the molecular mechanisms that govern autophagy has significantly advanced our understanding of the functioning of this protein family. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we present the current LC3 protein interaction network, which has been and continues to be vital for gaining insight into the regulation of autophagy.

E1-like activating enzyme Atg7 is preferentially sequestered into p62 aggregates via its interaction with LC3-I

p62 is constitutively degraded by autophagy via its interaction with LC3. However, the interaction of p62 with LC3 species in the context of the LC3 lipidation process is not specified. Further, the p62-mediated protein aggregation's effect on autophagy is unclear. We systemically analyzed the interactions of p62 with all known Atg proteins involved in LC3 lipidation. We find that p62 does not interact with LC3 at the stages when it is being processed by Atg4B or when it is complexed or conjugated with Atg3. p62 does interact with LC3-I and LC3-I:Atg7 complex and is preferentially recruited by LC3-II species under autophagic stimulation. Given that Atg4B, Atg3 and LC3-Atg3 are indispensable for LC3-II conversion, our study reveals a protective mechanism for Atg4B, Atg3 and LC3-Atg3 conjugate from being inappropriately sequestered into p62 aggregates. Our findings imply that p62 could potentially impair autophagy by negatively affecting LC3 lipidation and contribute to the development of protein aggregate diseases.

Two-Colored Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy Screening for LC3-P62 Interaction Inhibitors

The fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS)–based competitive binding assay to screen for protein-protein interaction inhibitors is a highly sensitive method as compared with the fluorescent polarization assay used conventionally. However, the FCS assay identifies many false-positive compounds, which requires specifically designed orthogonal screenings. A two-colored application of the FCS-based screening was newly developed, and inhibitors of a protein-protein interaction, involving selective autophagy, were selected. We focused on the interaction of LC3 with the adaptor protein p62, because the interaction is crucial to degrade the specific target proteins recruited by p62. First, about 10,000 compounds were subjected to the FCS-based competitive assay using a TAMRA-labeled p62-derived probe, and 29 hit compounds were selected. Next, the obtained hits were evaluated by the second FCS assay, using an Alexa647-labeled p62-derived probe to remove the false-positive compounds, and six hit compounds inhibited the interaction. Finally, we tested all 29 compounds by surface plasmon resonance–based competitive binding assay to evaluate their inhibition of the LC3-p62 interaction and selected two inhibitors with IC50 values less than 2 µM. The two-colored FCS-based screening was shown to be effective to screen for protein-protein interaction inhibitors.

Substrate recognition in selective autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system

Dynamic protein turnover through regulated protein synthesis and degradation ensures cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation and adaptation. Eukaryotic cells utilize two mechanistically distinct but largely complementary systems - the 26S proteasome and the lysosome (or vacuole in yeast and plants) - to effectively target a wide range of proteins for degradation. The concerted action of the ubiquitination machinery and the 26S proteasome ensures the targeted and tightly regulated degradation of a subset of commonly short-lived cellular proteins. Autophagy is a distinct degradation pathway, which transports a highly heterogeneous set of cargos in dedicated vesicles, called autophagosomes, to the lysosome. There the cargo becomes degraded and its molecular building blocks are recycled. While general autophagy randomly engulfs portions of the cytosol, selective autophagy employs dedicated cargo adaptors to specifically enrich the forming autophagosomes for a certain type of cargo as a response to various intra- or extracellular signals. Selective autophagy targets a wide range of cargos including long-lived proteins and protein complexes, organelles, protein aggregates and even intracellular microbes. In this review we summarize available data on cargo recognition mechanisms operating in selective autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), and emphasize their differences and common themes. Moreover, we derive general regulatory principles underlying cargo recognition in selective autophagy, and describe the system-wide crosstalk between these two cellular protein degradation systems. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin-Proteasome System. Guest Editors: Thomas Sommer and Dieter H. Wolf.

Atg12-Atg5 conjugate enhances E2 activity of Atg3 by rearranging its catalytic site

Two autophagy-related ubiquitin-like systems have unique features: the E2 enzyme Atg3 conjugates the ubiquitin-like protein Atg8 to the lipid phosphatidylethanolamine, and the other ubiquitin-like protein conjugate Atg12-Atg5 promotes that conjugase activity of Atg3. Here, we elucidate the mode of this action of Atg12-Atg5 as a new E3 enzyme by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins. Biochemical analyses based on structural information suggest that Atg3 requires a threonine residue to catalyze the conjugation reaction instead of the typical asparagine residue used by other E2 enzymes. Moreover, the catalytic cysteine residue of Atg3 is arranged in the catalytic center such that the conjugase activity is suppressed; Atg12-Atg5 induces a reorientation of the cysteine residue toward the threonine residue, which enhances the conjugase activity of Atg3. Thus, this study reveals the mechanism of the key reaction that drives membrane biogenesis during autophagy.

Noncanonical recognition and UBL loading of distinct E2s by autophagy-essential Atg7

Autophagy requires ubiquitin-like Atg8 and Atg12 conjugation systems, where Atg7 has a critical role as the sole E1 enzyme. Although Atg7 recognizes two distinct E2s, Atg3 and Atg10, it is not understood how Atg7 correctly loads these E2s with their cognate ubiquitin-like proteins, Atg8 and Atg12. Here, we report the crystal structures of the N-terminal domain of Atg7 bound to Atg10 or Atg3 of thermotolerant yeast and plant homologs. The observed Atg7-Atg10 and Atg7-Atg3 interactions, which resemble each other but are quite distinct from the canonical E1-E2 interaction, makes Atg7 suitable for transferring Atg12 to Atg10 and Atg8 to Atg3 by a trans mechanism. Notably, in vitro experiments showed that Atg7 loads Atg3 and Atg10 with Atg8 and Atg12 in a nonspecific manner, which suggests that cognate conjugate formation in vivo is not an intrinsic quality of Atg7.

ATG8 family proteins act as scaffolds for assembly of the ULK complex: sequence requirements for LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs

Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent degradation system conserved among eukaryotes. The mammalian Atg1 homologues, Unc-51 like kinase (ULK) 1 and 2, are multifunctional proteins with roles in autophagy, neurite outgrowth, and vesicle transport. The mammalian ULK complex involved in autophagy consists of ULK1, ULK2, ATG13, FIP200, and ATG101. We have used pulldown and peptide array overlay assays to study interactions between the ULK complex and six different ATG8 family proteins. Strikingly, in addition to ULK1 and ULK2, ATG13 and FIP200 interacted with human ATG8 proteins, all with strong preference for the GABARAP subfamily. Similarly, yeast and Drosophila Atg1 interacted with their respective Atg8 proteins, demonstrating the evolutionary conservation of the interaction. Use of peptide arrays allowed precise mapping of the functional LIR motifs, and two-dimensional scans of the ULK1 and ATG13 LIR motifs revealed which substitutions that were tolerated. This information, combined with an analysis of known LIR motifs, provides us with a clearer picture of sequence requirements for LIR motifs. In addition to the known requirements of the aromatic and hydrophobic residues of the core motif, we found the interactions to depend strongly on acidic residues surrounding the central core LIR motifs. A preference for either a hydrophobic residue or an acidic residue following the aromatic residue in the LIR motif is also evident. Importantly, the LIR motif is required for starvation-induced association of ULK1 with autophagosomes. Our data suggest that ATG8 proteins act as scaffolds for assembly of the ULK complex at the phagophore.

Structure of the autophagic E2 enzyme Atg10

Autophagy is a regulated degradation pathway that plays a critical role in all eukaryotic life cycles. One interesting feature of the core autophagic process, autophagosome formation, is similar to ubiquitination. One of two autophagic E2 enzymes, Atg10, interacts with Atg7 to receive Atg12, a ubiquitin-like molecule, and is also involved in the Atg12-Atg5 conjugation reaction. To date, no information on the interaction between Atg10 and Atg7 has been reported, although structural information is available pertaining to the individual components. Here, the crystal structure of Atg10 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is described at 2.7 Å resolution. A significant improvement of the diffraction limit by heavy-atom derivatization was essential for structure determination. The core fold of yeast Atg10 is well conserved compared with those of Atg3 and other E2 enzymes. In contrast to other E2 enzymes, however, the autophagic E2 enzymes Atg3 and Atg10 possess insertion regions in the middle of the core fold and may be involved in protein function. The missing segment, which was termed the `FR-region', in Atg10 may be important for interaction with the E1 enzyme Atg7. This study provides a framework for understanding the E2 conjugation reaction in autophagy.

Structural characterization and inhibition of the Plasmodium Atg8-Atg3 interaction

The autophagy-related proteins are thought to serve multiple functions in Plasmodium and are considered essential to parasite survival and development. We have studied two key interacting proteins, Atg8 and Atg3, of the autophagy pathway in Plasmodium falciparum. These proteins are vital for the formation and elongation of the autophagosome and essential to the process of macroautophagy. Autophagy may be required for conversion of the sporozoite into erythrocytic-infective merozoites and may be crucial for other functions during asexual blood stages. Here we describe the identification of an Atg8 family interacting motif (AIM) in Plasmodium Atg3, which binds Plasmodium Atg8. We determined the co-crystal structure of PfAtg8 with a short Atg3¹⁰³⁻¹¹⁰ peptide, corresponding to this motif, to 2.2 Å resolution. Our in vitro interaction studies are in agreement with our X-ray crystal structure. Furthermore they suggest an important role for a unique Apicomplexan loop absent from human Atg8 homologues. Prevention of the protein-protein interaction of full length PfAtg8 with PfAtg3 was achieved at low micromolar concentrations with a small molecule, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene. Together our structural and interaction studies represent a starting point for future antimalarial drug discovery and design for this novel protein-protein interaction.

Binding of the Atg1/ULK1 kinase to the ubiquitin-like protein Atg8 regulates autophagy

Autophagy is an intracellular trafficking pathway sequestering cytoplasm and delivering excess and damaged cargo to the vacuole for degradation. The Atg1/ULK1 kinase is an essential component of the core autophagy machinery possibly activated by binding to Atg13 upon starvation. Indeed, we found that Atg13 directly binds Atg1, and specific Atg13 mutations abolishing this interaction interfere with Atg1 function in vivo. Surprisingly, Atg13 binding to Atg1 is constitutive and not altered by nutrient conditions or treatment with the Target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1)-inhibitor rapamycin. We identify Atg8 as a novel regulator of Atg1/ULK1, which directly binds Atg1/ULK1 in a LC3-interaction region (LIR)-dependent manner. Molecular analysis revealed that Atg13 and Atg8 cooperate at different steps to regulate Atg1 function. Atg8 targets Atg1/ULK1 to autophagosomes, where it may promote autophagosome maturation and/or fusion with vacuoles/lysosomes. Moreover, Atg8 binding triggers vacuolar degradation of the Atg1-Atg13 complex in yeast, thereby coupling Atg1 activity to autophagic flux. Together, these findings define a conserved step in autophagy regulation in yeast and mammals and expand the known functions of LIR-dependent Atg8 targets to include spatial regulation of the Atg1/ULK1 kinase.

Autophagy: a multifaceted intracellular system for bulk and selective recycling

Plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to recycle intracellular constituents. One gaining in appreciation is autophagy, which involves specialized vesicles engulfing and delivering unwanted cytoplasmic material to the vacuole for breakdown. Central to this process is the ubiquitin-fold protein autophagy (ATG)-8, which becomes tethered to the developing autophagic membranes by lipidation. Here, we review data showing that the ATG8 moiety provides a docking site not only for proteins that help shape the enclosing vesicles and promote their fusion with the tonoplast, but also for a host of receptors that recruit appropriate autophagic cargo. The identity of these receptors has dramatically altered the view of autophagy as being a relatively nonspecific mechanism to one that may selectively sequester aggregated proteins, protein complexes, organelles, and even invading pathogens.

New targets for acetylation in autophagy

Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved homeostatic process that mediates the degradation of long-lived cytoplasmic components in eukaryotes, which allows cells to survive stresses such as inflammation, hypoxia, and deprivation of nutrients or growth factors. At least 30 members of the Atg (autophagy-related) protein family orchestrate this degradative process. Additional complexity resides in the signaling networks controlling the autophagic process, which include various posttranslational modifications of key components. Evidence is accumulating that protein acetylation represents an evolutionarily conserved mechanism tightly regulating macroautophagy.

Structural insights into Atg10-mediated formation of the autophagy-essential Atg12-Atg5 conjugate

The Atg12-Atg5 conjugate, which is formed by an ubiquitin-like conjugation system, is essential to autophagosome formation, a central event in autophagy. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanism of the Atg12-Atg5 conjugate formation has not been elucidated. Here, we report the solution and crystal structures of Atg10 and Atg5 homologs from Kluyveromyces marxianus (Km), a thermotolerant yeast. KmAtg10 comprises an E2-core fold with characteristic accessories, including two β strands, whereas KmAtg5 has two ubiquitin-like domains and a helical domain. The nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, mutational analyses, and crosslinking experiments showed that KmAtg10 directly recognizes KmAtg5, especially its C-terminal ubiquitin-like domain, by its characteristic two β strands. Kinetic analysis suggests that Tyr56 and Asn114 of KmAtg10 may place the side chain of KmAtg5 Lys145 into the optimal orientation for its conjugation reaction with Atg12. These structural features enable Atg10 to mediate the formation of the Atg12-Atg5 conjugate without a specific E3 enzyme.

The role of ALFY in selective autophagy

Autophagy, a highly conserved lysosomal degradation pathway, was initially characterized as a bulk degradation system induced in response to starvation. In recent years, autophagy has emerged also as a highly selective pathway, targeting various cargoes such as aggregated proteins and damaged organelles for degradation. The key factors involved in selective autophagy are autophagy receptors and adaptor proteins, which connect the cargo to the core autophagy machinery. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about the only mammalian adaptor protein identified thus far, autophagy-linked FYVE protein (ALFY). ALFY is a large, scaffolding, multidomain protein implicated in the selective degradation of ubiquitinated protein aggregates by autophagy. We also comment on the possible role of ALFY in the context of disease.

Heterologous expression of ATG8c from soybean confers tolerance to nitrogen deficiency and increases yield in Arabidopsis

Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth and yield. Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) of crops could potentially reduce the application of chemical fertilizer and alleviate environmental damage. To identify new NUE genes is therefore an important task in molecular breeding. Macroautophagy (autophagy) is an intracellular process in which damaged or obsolete cytoplasmic components are encapsulated in double membraned vesicles termed autophagosomes, then delivered to the vacuole for degradation and nutrient recycling. One of the core components of autophagosome formation, ATG8, has been shown to directly mediate autophagosome expansion, and the transcript of which is highly inducible upon starvation. Therefore, we postulated that certain homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATG8 (ScATG8) from crop species could have potential for NUE crop breeding. A soybean (Glycine max, cv. Zhonghuang-13) ATG8, GmATG8c, was selected from the 11 family members based on transcript analysis upon nitrogen deprivation. GmATG8c could partially complement the yeast atg8 mutant. Constitutive expression of GmATG8c in soybean callus cells not only enhanced nitrogen starvation tolerance of the cells but accelerated the growth of the calli. Transgenic Arabidopsis over-expressing GmATG8c performed better under extended nitrogen and carbon starvation conditions. Meanwhile, under optimum growth conditions, the transgenic plants grew faster, bolted earlier, produced larger primary and axillary inflorescences, eventually produced more seeds than the wild-type. In average, the yield was improved by 12.9%. We conclude that GmATG8c may serve as an excellent candidate for breeding crops with enhanced NUE and better yield.

Autophagy: more than a nonselective pathway

Autophagy is a catabolic pathway conserved among eukaryotes that allows cells to rapidly eliminate large unwanted structures such as aberrant protein aggregates, superfluous or damaged organelles, and invading pathogens. The hallmark of this transport pathway is the sequestration of the cargoes that have to be degraded in the lysosomes by double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes. The key actors mediating the biogenesis of these carriers are the autophagy-related genes (ATGs). For a long time, it was assumed that autophagy is a bulk process. Recent studies, however, have highlighted the capacity of this pathway to exclusively eliminate specific structures and thus better fulfil the catabolic necessities of the cell. We are just starting to unveil the regulation and mechanism of these selective types of autophagy, but what it is already clearly emerging is that structures targeted to destruction are accurately enwrapped by autophagosomes through the action of specific receptors and adaptors. In this paper, we will briefly discuss the impact that the selective types of autophagy have had on our understanding of autophagy.

Function and molecular mechanism of acetylation in autophagy regulation

Protein acetylation emerged as a key regulatory mechanism for many cellular processes. We used genetic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify Esa1 as a histone acetyltransferase required for autophagy. We further identified the autophagy signaling component Atg3 as a substrate for Esa1. Specifically, acetylation of K19 and K48 of Atg3 regulated autophagy by controlling Atg3 and Atg8 interaction and lipidation of Atg8. Starvation induced transient K19-K48 acetylation through spatial and temporal regulation of the localization of acetylase Esa1 and the deacetylase Rpd3 on pre-autophagosomal structures (PASs) and their interaction with Atg3. Attenuation of K19-K48 acetylation was associated with attenuation of autophagy. Increased K19-K48 acetylation after deletion of the deacetylase Rpd3 caused increased autophagy. Thus, protein acetylation contributes to control of autophagy.

Variations on a theme: plant autophagy in comparison to yeast and mammals

Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved process of bulk degradation and nutrient sequestration that occurs in all eukaryotic cells. Yet, in recent years, autophagy has also been shown to play a role in the specific degradation of individual proteins or protein aggregates as well as of damaged organelles. The process was initially discovered in yeast and has also been very well studied in mammals and, to a lesser extent, in plants. In this review, we summarize what is known regarding the various functions of autopahgy in plants but also attempt to address some specific issues concerning plant autophagy, such as the insufficient knowledge regarding autophagy in various plant species other than Arabidopsis, the fact that some genes belonging to the core autophagy machinery in various organisms are still missing in plants, the existence of autophagy multigene families in plants and the possible operation of selective autophagy in plants, a study that is still in its infancy. In addition, we point to plant-specific autophagy processes, such as the participation of autophagy during development and germination of the seed, a unique plant organ. Throughout this review, we demonstrate that the use of innovative bioinformatic resources, together with recent biological discoveries (such as the ATG8-interacting motif), should pave the way to a more comprehensive understanding of the multiple functions of plant autophagy.

Autophagy-related protein 32 acts as autophagic degron and directly initiates mitophagy

Autophagy-related degradation selective for mitochondria (mitophagy) is an evolutionarily conserved process that is thought to be critical for mitochondrial quality and quantity control. In budding yeast, autophagy-related protein 32 (Atg32) is inserted into the outer membrane of mitochondria with its N- and C-terminal domains exposed to the cytosol and mitochondrial intermembrane space, respectively, and plays an essential role in mitophagy. Atg32 interacts with Atg8, a ubiquitin-like protein localized to the autophagosome, and Atg11, a scaffold protein required for selective autophagy-related pathways, although the significance of these interactions remains elusive. In addition, whether Atg32 is the sole protein necessary and sufficient for initiation of autophagosome formation has not been addressed. Here we show that the Atg32 IMS domain is dispensable for mitophagy. Notably, when anchored to peroxisomes, the Atg32 cytosol domain promoted autophagy-dependent peroxisome degradation, suggesting that Atg32 contains a module compatible for other organelle autophagy. X-ray crystallography reveals that the Atg32 Atg8 family-interacting motif peptide binds Atg8 in a conserved manner. Mutations in this binding interface impair association of Atg32 with the free form of Atg8 and mitophagy. Moreover, Atg32 variants, which do not stably interact with Atg11, are strongly defective in mitochondrial degradation. Finally, we demonstrate that Atg32 forms a complex with Atg8 and Atg11 prior to and independent of isolation membrane generation and subsequent autophagosome formation. Taken together, our data implicate Atg32 as a bipartite platform recruiting Atg8 and Atg11 to the mitochondrial surface and forming an initiator complex crucial for mitophagy.

Receptor proteins in selective autophagy

Autophagy has long been thought to be an essential but unselective bulk degradation pathway. However, increasing evidence suggests selective autophagosomal turnover of a broad range of substrates. Bifunctional autophagy receptors play a key role in selective autophagy by tethering cargo to the site of autophagosomal engulfment. While the identity of molecular components involved in selective autophagy has been revealed at least to some extent, we are only beginning to understand how selectivity is achieved in this process. Here, we summarize the mechanistic and structural basis of receptor-mediated selective autophagy.

SDS-PAGE techniques to study ubiquitin-like conjugation systems in yeast autophagy

Autophagy is a bulk degradation system highly conserved among eukaryotic cells and plays crucial roles in a wide range of physiological and pathological situations. Remarkably, this process involves two ubiquitin-like (Ubl) conjugation systems. Here, we describe two sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis techniques to analyze these systems: one that allows separation of the Ubl protein Atg8 conjugated to the lipid phosphatidylethanolamine from its unlipidated form, and the other by which otherwise labile thioester intermediates between Atg8 and either the E1 enzyme Atg7 or the E2 enzyme Atg3 are stably preserved during electrophoresis, and thus easily detected by following protein visualization. Especially, the latter technique is also ubiquitously applicable for studies on conjugation reactions of ubiquitin (Ub) and other Ubl proteins.

Selective autophagy mediated by autophagic adapter proteins

Mounting evidence suggests that autophagy is a more selective process than originally anticipated. The discovery and characterization of autophagic adapters, like p62 and NBR1, has provided mechanistic insight into this process. p62 and NBR1 are both selectively degraded by autophagy and able to act as cargo receptors for degradation of ubiquitinated substrates. A direct interaction between these autophagic adapters and the autophagosomal marker protein LC3, mediated by a so-called LIR (LC3-interacting region) motif, their inherent ability to polymerize or aggregate as well as their ability to specifically recognize substrates are required for efficient selective autophagy. These three required features of autophagic cargo receptors are evolutionarily conserved and also employed in the yeast cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway and in the degradation of P granules in C. elegans. Here, we review the mechanistic basis of selective autophagy in mammalian cells discussing the degradation of misfolded proteins, p62 bodies, aggresomes, mitochondria and invading bacteria. The emerging picture of selective autophagy affecting the regulation of cell signaling with consequences for oxidative stress responses, tumorigenesis and innate immunity is also addressed.

Insights into noncanonical E1 enzyme activation from the structure of autophagic E1 Atg7 with Atg8

Autophagy is the degradation of cellular organelles via the lysosomal pathway. The autophagic ubiquitin-like (Ubl) molecule Atg8 is activated by the E1-like enzyme Atg7. As this noncanonical E1 enzyme's domain organization is unique among Ubl-activating E1 enzymes, the structural basis for its interactions with Atg8 and partner E2 enzymes remains obscure. Here we present the structure of the N-terminal domain of Atg7, revealing a unique protein fold and interactions with both autophagic E2 enzymes Atg3 and Atg10. The structure of the C-terminal domain of Atg7 in complex with Atg8 shows the mode of dimerization and mechanism of recognition of Atg8. Notably, the catalytic cysteine residue in Atg7 is positioned close to the C-terminal glycine of Atg8, its target for thioester formation, potentially eliminating the need for large conformational rearrangements characteristic of other E1s.

Atg8: an autophagy-related ubiquitin-like protein family

Autophagy-related (Atg) proteins are eukaryotic factors participating in various stages of the autophagic process. Thus far 34 Atgs have been identified in yeast, including the key autophagic protein Atg8. The Atg8 gene family encodes ubiquitin-like proteins that share a similar structure consisting of two amino-terminal α helices and a ubiquitin-like core. Atg8 family members are expressed in various tissues, where they participate in multiple cellular processes, such as intracellular membrane trafficking and autophagy. Their role in autophagy has been intensively studied. Atg8 proteins undergo a unique ubiquitin-like conjugation to phosphatidylethanolamine on the autophagic membrane, a process essential for autophagosome formation. Whereas yeast has a single Atg8 gene, many other eukaryotes contain multiple Atg8 orthologs. Atg8 genes of multicellular animals can be divided, by sequence similarities, into three subfamilies: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (MAP1LC3 or LC3), γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) and Golgi-associated ATPase enhancer of 16 kDa (GATE-16), which are present in sponges, cnidarians (such as sea anemones, corals and hydras) and bilateral animals. Although genes from all three subfamilies are found in vertebrates, some invertebrate lineages have lost the genes from one or two subfamilies. The amino terminus of Atg8 proteins varies between the subfamilies and has a regulatory role in their various functions. Here we discuss the evolution of Atg8 proteins and summarize the current view of their function in intracellular trafficking and autophagy from a structural perspective.

Biogenesis and cargo selectivity of autophagosomes

Autophagy is a major catabolic pathway in eukaryotes, which is required for the lysosomal/vacuolar degradation of cytoplasmic proteins and organelles. Interest in the autophagy pathway has recently gained momentum largely owing to identification of multiple autophagy-related genes and recognition of its involvement in various physiological conditions. Here we review current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms regulating autophagy in mammals and yeast, specifically the biogenesis of autophagosomes and the selectivity of their cargo recruitment. We discuss the different steps of autophagy, from the signal transduction events that regulate it to the completion of this pathway by fusion with the lysosome/vacuole. We also review research on the origin of the autophagic membrane, the molecular mechanism of autophagosome formation, and the roles of two ubiquitin-like protein families and other structural elements that are essential for this process. Finally, we discuss the various modes of autophagy and highlight their functional relevance for selective degradation of specific cargos.

The Autophagy Database: an all-inclusive information resource on autophagy that provides nourishment for research

Autophagy is a process of self-digestion generally observed in eukaryotes and has been shown to play crucial roles for survival under starvation and removal of deleterious substances. Despite great advances that have been made, many problems in mechanisms of autophagy remain unsolved. As a large number of autophagy-related proteins are identified in each species, a database that collects data, identifies their homologs in other species and makes them available will contribute to research advancement. As no such resources exist, we built the Autophagy database (http://tp-apg.genes.nig.ac.jp/autophagy) to provide basics, up-to-date information on relevant literature, and a list of autophagy-related proteins and their homologs in 41 eukaryotes. From the database, the user can search for proteins by keywords or sequences to obtain a wealth of data including functional and structural information and find possible functional homologs of proteins whose functions have been demonstrated in other species. As proteins that bind the phospholipid, phosphatidyl inositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) are essential for autophagy to proceed, we carried out an original analysis to identify probable PI3P-binding proteins, and made the list available from the database. The database is expected to give impetus to further research on autophagy by providing basic and specialized data on the subject.