The small GTPase RAB37 functions as an organizer for autophagosome biogenesis

Ying Song; Dantong Shang; Hanhua Cheng; Rongjia Zhou

doi:10.1080/15548627.2018.1434374

The small GTPase RAB37 functions as an organizer for autophagosome biogenesis

Autophagy. 2018;14(4):727-729. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2018.1434374. Epub 2018 Mar 13.

Authors

Ying Song¹, Dantong Shang¹, Hanhua Cheng¹, Rongjia Zhou¹

Affiliation

¹ a Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China.

Abstract

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a catabolic process that is essential for cellular homeostasis. How autophagosomal vesicle forms in a spatio-temporally regulated manner remains elusive. Our recent study revealed that small GTPase, RAB37 (RAB37, member RAS oncogene family), functions as a key organizer of autophagosomal membrane biogenesis. RAB37 interacts with ATG5 (autophagy related 5) and promotes autophagosome formation by modulating ATG12-ATG5-ATG16L1 complex assembly. These findings provide new insights into autophagy regulation.

Keywords: GTPase; RAB proteins; autophagosome; autophagy; cell homeostasis; membrane.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autophagosomes / metabolism*
Autophagy / physiology*
Autophagy-Related Proteins / metabolism
Humans
Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
Phagosomes / metabolism
rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

Autophagy-Related Proteins
Microtubule-Associated Proteins
Rab37 protein, human
rab GTP-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 31771487, 31471182, 31771370, 31571280] and the Key Transgenic New Organism Project [grant number 2018ZX0800950B].