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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Imaging ATG9A, a Multi-Spanning Membrane Protein
Published on: June 16, 2023
ATG9A protects the plasma membrane from programmed and incidental permeabilization
Aurore Claude-Taupin1,2, Jingyue Jia1,2, Zambarlal Bhujabal3
1Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolic (AIM) Center of Biochemical Research Excellence, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
None:
The integral membrane protein ATG9A plays a key role in autophagy. It displays a broad intracellular distribution and is present in numerous compartments, including the plasma membrane (PM). The reasons for the distribution of ATG9A to the PM and its role at the PM are not understood. Here, we show that ATG9A organizes, in concert with IQGAP1, components of the ESCRT system and uncover cooperation between ATG9A, IQGAP1 and ESCRTs in protection from PM damage. ESCRTs and ATG9A phenocopied each other in protection against PM injury. ATG9A knockouts sensitized the PM to permeabilization by a broad spectrum of microbial and endogenous agents, including gasdermin, MLKL and the MLKL-like action of coronavirus ORF3a. Thus, ATG9A engages IQGAP1 and the ESCRT system to maintain PM integrity.
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