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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
14:08
Study of Protein-protein Interactions in Autophagy Research
Published on: September 9, 2017
Under the ROS…thiol network is the principal suspect for autophagy commitment
Giuseppe Filomeni1, Enrico Desideri, Simone Cardaci
1Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy. filomeni@bio.uniroma2.it
Autophagy
|July 20, 2010
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger reversible cysteine oxidation, crucial for redox signaling. This commentary highlights proteins involved in autophagy that also sense cellular redox state via thiols, proposing a model for their function.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce oxidation of cellular thiols.
- Reversible cysteine oxidation is a key mechanism in redox signaling.
- Autophagy is increasingly linked to ROS production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight proteins involved in autophagy that also function as redox sensors.
- To propose a hypothetical model for the role of thiols in autophagy.
- To outline a network of redox reactions in autophagosome formation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis.
- Conceptual modeling of redox regulation in autophagy.
Main Results:
- Many proteins involved in autophagosome formation can sense cellular redox state via reactive cysteines.
- Atg4 is the only currently characterized redox-regulated protein essential for autophagy.
- A hypothetical model and network are proposed for thiol involvement in autophagy.
Conclusions:
- Redox-sensitive proteins play a dual role in autophagy and cellular redox sensing.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the network of thiol-mediated redox regulation in autophagy.
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