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Study of Protein-protein Interactions in Autophagy Research
14:08

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Published on: September 9, 2017

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ITPRs/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in autophagy: From enemy to ally

Jean-Paul Decuypere1, Jan B Parys2, Geert Bultynck2

  • 1a KU Leuven Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Abdominal Transplantation; University Hospitals Leuven Department of Abdominal Transplant Surgery ; Leuven , Belgium.

Autophagy
|August 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs) play a dual role in autophagy. These endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channels can stimulate or suppress autophagic flux, depending on calcium signal characteristics.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Calcium Signaling

Background:

  • Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs) are primary endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ channels.
  • ITPRs were initially considered negative regulators of autophagy.
  • Emerging evidence highlights a positive role for ITPRs in autophagic flux.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an integrated perspective on the dual role of ITPR-mediated Ca2+ signaling in autophagy.
  • To elucidate how spatio-temporal Ca2+ signal characteristics influence autophagy.
  • To explore the impact of ER-mitochondrial and ER-lysosomal Ca2+ signaling microdomains on autophagy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and data synthesis.
  • Analysis of existing research on ITPRs and autophagy.
  • Conceptual modeling of Ca2+ signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • ITPRs exhibit a context-dependent influence on autophagic flux.
  • Specific Ca2+ signal patterns mediated by ITPRs can either promote or inhibit autophagy.
  • The localization of Ca2+ signaling microdomains (ER-mitochondrial, ER-lysosomal) is critical.

Conclusions:

  • ITPRs are key regulators of autophagy with a dual function.
  • The outcome of ITPR activity on autophagy depends on the dynamics and location of Ca2+ signals.
  • Understanding these microdomains is essential for deciphering ITPR's role in cellular homeostasis.
Keywords:
Ca2+ microdomainsCa2+ signalingautophagic fluxautophagyinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptorspatio-temporal Ca2+ signals

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