TMEM59 defines a novel ATG16L1-binding motif that promotes local activation of LC3.

ABSTRACT: Selective autophagy underlies many of the important physiological roles that autophagy plays in multicellular organisms, but the mechanisms involved in cargo selection are poorly understood. Here we describe a molecular mechanism that can target conventional endosomes for autophagic degradation. We show that the human transmembrane protein TMEM59 contains a minimal 19-amino-acid peptide in its intracellular domain that promotes LC3 labelling and lysosomal targeting of its own endosomal compartment. Interestingly, this peptide defines a novel protein motif that mediates interaction with the WD-repeat domain of ATG16L1, thus providing a mechanistic basis for the activity. The motif is represented with the same ATG16L1-binding ability in other molecules, suggesting a more general relevance. W

SUBMITTER: Boada-Romero E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3579146 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature