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Beyond Autophagy: The Expanding Roles of ATG8 Proteins

Jose L Nieto-Torres1, Andrew M Leidal2, Jayanta Debnath2

  • 1Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Program of Development, Aging, and Regeneration, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|February 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy-related protein 8 (ATG8) family proteins are key in degrading cellular waste. New research reveals ATG8s have diverse roles beyond canonical autophagy, impacting organelle function and cargo fate.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Autophagy is a crucial cellular process for degrading damaged or unnecessary components.
  • ATG8 proteins are essential for autophagosome formation and cargo degradation.
  • Emerging evidence suggests ATG8s have non-canonical roles in organelle function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the known and emerging functions of ATG8 family proteins.
  • To highlight open questions regarding ATG8 regulation and specificity.
  • To explore the diverse roles of ATG8s in cellular degradation and secretion.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on ATG8 proteins.
  • Analysis of canonical and non-canonical ATG8 functions.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of ATG8-mediated processes.

Main Results:

  • ATG8s are central to autophagosome biogenesis and cargo degradation.
  • ATG8s associate with single-membrane organelles, influencing their fate.
  • Distinct roles for individual ATG8 family members are suggested but not fully understood.

Conclusions:

  • ATG8 proteins possess multifaceted roles in cellular homeostasis.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate ATG8 regulatory mechanisms and specific functions.
  • Understanding ATG8 diversity is key to comprehending cellular degradation and secretion pathways.
Keywords:
GABARAPLC3LC3-associated phagocytosismultivesicular bodiesnon-canonical autophagyunconventional secretion

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