Autophagosomes are large double-membrane vesicles that enclose cytoplasmic components targeting them for degradation. Two recent reports reveal that phagophores, the autophagosome precursors, are surrounded by and connected to rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. These results shed light on how membranes may be supplied and reorganized for autophagosomal biogenesis.
2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.