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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Live Cell Imaging of Early Autophagy Events: Omegasomes and Beyond
Published on: July 27, 2013
What is the advantage of a transient precursor in autophagosome biogenesis?
Nicholas T Ktistakis1, Simon Andrews, Joshua Long
1Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge, UK. nicholas.ktistakis@bbsrc.ac.uk
Abstract:
We have recently proposed that some autophagosomes are formed within omegasomes, membrane sites connected to the endoplasmic reticulum and enriched in phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. In order to understand if there is any biological advantage to having such a precursor in autophagosome biogenesis, we generated a simple computer program that simulates omegasome and autophagosome formation under a variety of conditions. We concluded from running this simulation that having a transient precursor permits a bigger dynamic range of the autophagic response and allows a more efficient approach to steady state after autophagy stimulation.
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