WIPI β-propellers at the crossroads of autophagosome and lipid droplet dynamics

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 1414-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon G. Pfisterer ◽  
Daniela Bakula ◽  
Alice Cezanne ◽  
Horst Robenek ◽  
Tassula Proikas-Cezanne
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Droplet Dynamics ◽  
Atg Proteins ◽  
Cytoplasmic Material ◽  
Storage Reservoirs ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Cytoplasmic Content ◽  
Catabolic Process

Macroautophagy (autophagy hereafter) is an evolutionarily highly conserved catabolic process activated by eukaryotes in order to counteract cellular starvation. Autophagy leads to bulk degradation of cytoplasmic content in the lysosomal compartment, thereby clearing the cytoplasm and generating nutrients and energy. Upon autophagy initiation, cytoplasmic material becomes sequestered in newly formed double-membrane vesicles termed ‘autophagosomes’ that subsequently acquire acidic hydrolases for content destruction. The de novo biogenesis of autophagosomes often occurs at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and, in many cases, in close proximity to lipid droplets (LDs), intracellular neutral lipid storage reservoirs. LDs are targets of autophagic destruction, but have recently also been shown to contribute to autophagosome formation. In fact, some autophagy-related (Atg) proteins, such as microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), Atg2 and Atg14L, functionally contribute to both LD and autophagosome biogenesis. In the present paper, we discuss Atg proteins, including members of the human WD-repeat protein interacting with phosphoinositides (WIPI) family that co-localize prominently with LC3, Atg2 and Atg14L to conceivably integrate LD and autophagosome dynamics.

scholarly journals Structural catalog of core Atg proteins opens new era of autophagy research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuaki Matoba ◽  
Nobuo N Noda
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Membrane Dynamics ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
New Era ◽  
Intracellular Degradation ◽  
Atg Proteins ◽  
Biological Studies ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Biological Methods

Summary Autophagy, which is an evolutionarily conserved intracellular degradation system, involves de novo generation of autophagosomes that sequester and deliver diverse cytoplasmic materials to the lysosome for degradation. Autophagosome formation is mediated by approximately 20 core autophagy-related (Atg) proteins, which collaborate to mediate complicated membrane dynamics during autophagy. To elucidate the molecular functions of these Atg proteins in autophagosome formation, many researchers have tried to determine the structures of Atg proteins by using various structural biological methods. Although not sufficient, the basic structural catalog of all core Atg proteins was established. In this review article, we summarize structural biological studies of core Atg proteins, with an emphasis on recently unveiled structures, and describe the mechanistic breakthroughs in autophagy research that have derived from new structural information.

In vitro reconstitution of autophagic processes

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 2003-2014
Author(s):  
Jahangir Md. Alam ◽  
Nobuo N. Noda
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Membrane Structures ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Atg Proteins ◽  
In Vitro Reconstitution ◽  
Complicated Process

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation system that involves de novo autophagosome formation. A lot of factors are involved in autophagosome formation, including dozens of Atg proteins that form supramolecular complexes, membrane structures including vesicles and organelles, and even membraneless organelles. Because these diverse higher-order structural components cooperate to mediate de novo formation of autophagosomes, it is too complicated to be elaborated only by cell biological approaches. Recent trials to regenerate each step of this phenomenon in vitro have started to elaborate on the molecular mechanisms of such a complicated process by simplification. In this review article, we outline the in vitro reconstitution trials in autophagosome formation, mainly focusing on the reports in the past few years and discussing the molecular mechanisms of autophagosome formation by comparing in vitro and in vivo observations.

WIPI β-propellers in autophagy-related diseases and longevity

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 962-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Bakula ◽  
Zsuzsanna Takacs ◽  
Tassula Proikas-Cezanne
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Catabolic Pathway ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Material ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Initiation Step ◽  
Conserved Amino Acids

Autophagy is a catabolic pathway in which the cell sequesters cytoplasmic material, including long-lived proteins, lipids and organelles, in specialized double-membrane vesicles, called autophagosomes. Subsequently, autophagosomes communicate with the lysosomal compartment and acquire acidic hydrolases for final cargo degradation. This process of partial self-eating secures the survival of eukaryotic cells during starvation periods and is critically regulated by mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1). Under nutrient-poor conditions, inhibited mTORC1 permits localized PtdIns(3)P production at particular membranes that contribute to autophagosome formation. Members of the human WIPI (WD-repeat protein interacting with phosphoinositides) family fulfil an essential role as PtdIns(3)P effectors at the initiation step of autophagosome formation. In the present article, we discuss the role of human WIPIs in autophagy, and the identification of evolutionarily conserved amino acids of WIPI-1 that confer PtdIns(3)P binding downstream of mTORC1 inhibition. We also discuss the PtdIns(3)P effector function of WIPIs in the context of longevity and autophagy-related human diseases, such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

scholarly journals COPII vesicles contribute to autophagosomal membranes

2019 ◽  
Vol 218 (5) ◽  
pp. 1503-1510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Shima ◽  
Hiromi Kirisako ◽  
Hitoshi Nakatogawa
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Membrane Dynamics ◽  
Fundamental Question ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Definitive Answer ◽  
Copii Vesicle ◽  
Copii Vesicles ◽  
Labeling System

A hallmark of autophagy is the de novo formation of double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes, which sequester various cellular constituents for degradation in lysosomes or vacuoles. The membrane dynamics underlying the biogenesis of autophagosomes, including the origin of the autophagosomal membrane, are still elusive. Although previous studies suggested that COPII vesicles are closely associated with autophagosome biogenesis, it remains unclear whether these vesicles serve as a source of the autophagosomal membrane. Using a recently developed COPII vesicle–labeling system in fluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that the transmembrane cargo Axl2 is loaded into COPII vesicles in the ER. Axl2 is then transferred to autophagosome intermediates, ultimately becoming part of autophagosomal membranes. This study provides a definitive answer to a long-standing, fundamental question regarding the mechanisms of autophagosome formation by implicating COPII vesicles as a membrane source for autophagosomes.

scholarly journals FIP200 organizes the autophagy machinery at p62-ubiquitin condensates beyond activation of the ULK1 kinase

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Turco ◽  
Irmgard Fischer ◽  
Sascha Martens
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Activity ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Degradation Pathway ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Ubiquitinated Proteins ◽  
The Many ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractMacroautophagy is a conserved degradation pathway, which mediates cellular homeostasis by the delivery of harmful substances into lysosomes. This is achieved by the sequestration of these substances referred to as cargo within double membrane vesicles, the autophagosomes, which form de novo. Among the many cargoes that are targeted by autophagy are condensates containing p62 and ubiquitinated proteins. p62 recruits the FIP200 protein to initiate autophagosome formation at the condensates. How FIP200 in turn organizes the autophagy machinery is unclear. Here we show that FIP200 is dispensable for the recruitment of the upstream autophagy machinery to the condensates, but it is necessary for phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate formation and WIPI2 recruitment. We further find that FIP200 is required for the activation of the ULK1 kinase. Surprisingly, ULK1 kinase activity is not strictly required for autophagosome formation at p62 condensates. Super-resolution microscopy of p62 condensates revealed that FIP200 surrounds the condensates where it spatially organizes ATG13 and ATG9A for productive autophagosome formation. Our data provide a mechanistic insight into how FIP200 orchestrates autophagosome initiation at the cargo.

scholarly journals Recent advances in the understanding of autophagosome biogenesis

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Graef
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Phospholipid Biosynthesis ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Lysosomal Degradation ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Membrane Tethering ◽  
Catabolic Process

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process critical for cell homeostasis with broad implications for aging and age-associated diseases. A defining feature of autophagy is the de novo formation of a specialized transient organelle, the double-membrane autophagosome. Autophagosomes originate from small vesicular precursors after rapid membrane expansion resulting in the engulfment of a broad spectrum of cytoplasmic cargoes within a few minutes for vacuolar or lysosomal degradation. Recent advances have provided exciting new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly of autophagic membranes during autophagosome biogenesis. Specifically, the phospholipid biosynthesis activity of the endoplasmic reticulum and a dedicated membrane-tethering complex between nascent autophagosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum have emerged as key factors in autophagosome formation.

scholarly journals The Atg2-Atg18 complex tethers pre-autophagosomal membranes to the endoplasmic reticulum for autophagosome formation

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (41) ◽  
pp. 10363-10368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Kotani ◽  
Hiromi Kirisako ◽  
Michiko Koizumi ◽  
Yoshinori Ohsumi ◽  
Hitoshi Nakatogawa
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Membrane Binding ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Molecular Function ◽  
Amphipathic Helix ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Atg Proteins ◽  
Membrane Tether

The biogenesis of double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes, which sequester and transport intracellular material for degradation in lysosomes or vacuoles, is a central event in autophagy. This process requires a unique set of factors called autophagy-related (Atg) proteins. The Atg proteins assemble to organize the preautophagosomal structure (PAS), at which a cup-shaped membrane, the isolation membrane (or phagophore), forms and expands to become the autophagosome. The molecular mechanism of autophagosome biogenesis remains poorly understood. Previous studies have shown that Atg2 forms a complex with the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P)-binding protein Atg18 and localizes to the PAS to initiate autophagosome biogenesis; however, the molecular function of Atg2 remains unknown. In this study, we show that Atg2 has two membrane-binding domains in the N- and C-terminal regions and acts as a membrane tether during autophagosome formation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An amphipathic helix in the C-terminal region binds to membranes and facilitates Atg18 binding to PI3P to target the Atg2-Atg18 complex to the PAS. The N-terminal region of Atg2 is also involved in the membrane binding of this protein but is dispensable for the PAS targeting of the Atg2-Atg18 complex. Our data suggest that this region associates with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is responsible for the formation of the isolation membrane at the PAS. Based on these results, we propose that the Atg2-Atg18 complex tethers the PAS to the ER to initiate membrane expansion during autophagosome formation.

scholarly journals Atg8 Controls Phagophore Expansion during Autophagosome Formation

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 3290-3298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiping Xie ◽  
Usha Nair ◽  
Daniel J. Klionsky
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Multistage Model ◽  
Intracellular Degradation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Material ◽  
New Genes ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Time Observation ◽  
Related Proteins

Autophagy is a potent intracellular degradation process with pivotal roles in health and disease. Atg8, a lipid-conjugated ubiquitin-like protein, is required for the formation of autophagosomes, double-membrane vesicles responsible for the delivery of cytoplasmic material to lysosomes. How and when Atg8 functions in this process, however, is not clear. Here we show that Atg8 controls the expansion of the autophagosome precursor, the phagophore, and give the first real-time, observation-based temporal dissection of the autophagosome formation process. We demonstrate that the amount of Atg8 determines the size of autophagosomes. During autophagosome biogenesis, Atg8 forms an expanding structure and later dissociates from the site of vesicle formation. On the basis of the dynamics of Atg8, we present a multistage model of autophagosome formation. This model provides a foundation for future analyses of the functions and dynamics of known autophagy-related proteins and for screening new genes.

Two ubiquitin-like conjugation systems that mediate membrane formation during autophagy

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Nakatogawa
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Membrane Dynamics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Amino Group ◽  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Acid Receptor ◽  
Receptor Associated Protein ◽  
Atg Proteins ◽  
C Terminus

In autophagy, the autophagosome, a transient organelle specialized for the sequestration and lysosomal or vacuolar transport of cellular constituents, is formed via unique membrane dynamics. This process requires concerted actions of a distinctive set of proteins named Atg (autophagy-related). Atg proteins include two ubiquitin-like proteins, Atg12 and Atg8 [LC3 (light-chain 3) and GABARAP (γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein) in mammals]. Sequential reactions by the E1 enzyme Atg7 and the E2 enzyme Atg10 conjugate Atg12 to the lysine residue in Atg5, and the resulting Atg12–Atg5 conjugate forms a complex with Atg16. On the other hand, Atg8 is first processed at the C-terminus by Atg4, which is related to ubiquitin-processing/deconjugating enzymes. Atg8 is then activated by Atg7 (shared with Atg12) and, via the E2 enzyme Atg3, finally conjugated to the amino group of the lipid PE (phosphatidylethanolamine). The Atg12–Atg5–Atg16 complex acts as an E3 enzyme for the conjugation reaction of Atg8; it enhances the E2 activity of Atg3 and specifies the site of Atg8–PE production to be autophagy-related membranes. Atg8–PE is suggested to be involved in autophagosome formation at multiple steps, including membrane expansion and closure. Moreover, Atg4 cleaves Atg8–PE to liberate Atg8 from membranes for reuse, and this reaction can also regulate autophagosome formation. Thus these two ubiquitin-like systems are intimately involved in driving the biogenesis of the autophagosomal membrane.

scholarly journals The ER–Golgi intermediate compartment is a key membrane source for the LC3 lipidation step of autophagosome biogenesis

eLife ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Ge ◽  
David Melville ◽  
Min Zhang ◽  
Randy Schekman
Keyword(s):  
Autophagosome Formation ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Intermediate Compartment ◽  
Membrane Isolation ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient ◽  
Organelle Membrane ◽  
Catabolic Process

Autophagy is a catabolic process for bulk degradation of cytosolic materials mediated by double-membraned autophagosomes. The membrane determinant to initiate the formation of autophagosomes remains elusive. Here, we establish a cell-free assay based on LC3 lipidation to define the organelle membrane supporting early autophagosome formation. In vitro LC3 lipidation requires energy and is subject to regulation by the pathways modulating autophagy in vivo. We developed a systematic membrane isolation scheme to identify the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) as a primary membrane source both necessary and sufficient to trigger LC3 lipidation in vitro. Functional studies demonstrate that the ERGIC is required for autophagosome biogenesis in vivo. Moreover, we find that the ERGIC acts by recruiting the early autophagosome marker ATG14, a critical step for the generation of preautophagosomal membranes.

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