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Did evolution choose Atg11 as the scaffolding platform beyond selective autophagy?
Yuxiang J Huang1,2, Daniel J Klionsky1,2
1Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Autophagy
|January 6, 2021
Summary
Autophagy protein Atg11 is crucial for selective autophagy in yeast. New research suggests Atg11 may have evolved to also regulate nonselective autophagy, a function previously unknown.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Atg11 is essential for selective autophagy in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* but not nonselective autophagy.
- The mammalian ortholog RB1CC1/FIP200 is vital for both selective and nonselective autophagy, with its mechanism unclear.
- Recent findings indicate Atg11 promotes nonselective autophagy in *Schizosaccharomyces pombe* via Atg1 kinase activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential evolutionary acquisition of nonselective autophagy function by Atg11.
- To explore the mechanism by which Atg11 might regulate nonselective autophagy.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of autophagy pathways in different yeast species.
- Investigating the role of Atg1 kinase in Atg11-mediated nonselective autophagy.
Main Results:
- Atg11 activation of Atg1 kinase in *S. pombe* promotes nonselective autophagy.
- This suggests Atg11 may have evolved an additional role in nonselective autophagy.
Conclusions:
- Atg11's function in autophagy is more diverse than previously understood.
- Evolutionary studies on autophagy proteins can reveal novel cellular mechanisms.
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