The ULK1 complex: Sensing nutrient signals for autophagy activation Journal Article


Authors: Wong, P. M.; Puente, C.; Ganley, I. G.; Jiang, X.
Article Title: The ULK1 complex: Sensing nutrient signals for autophagy activation
Abstract: The Atg1/ULK1 complex plays a central role in starvationinduced autophagy, integrating signals from upstream sensors such as MTOR and AMPK and transducing them to the downstream autophagy pathway. Much progress has been made in the last few years in understanding the mechanisms by which the complex is regulated through protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications, providing insights into how the cell modulates autophagy, particularly in response to nutrient status. However, how the ULK1 complex transduces upstream signals to the downstream central autophagy pathway is still unclear. Although the protein kinase activity of ULK1 is required for its autophagic function, its protein substrate(s) responsible for autophagy activation has not been identified. Furthermore, examples of potential ULK1-independent autophagy have emerged, indicating that under certain specific contexts, the ULK1 complex might be dispensable for autophagy activation. This raises the question of how the autophagic machinery is activated independent of the ULK1 complex and what are the biological functions of such noncanonical autophagy pathways. © 2013 Landes Bioscience.
Keywords: regulation; mtor; kinase; ampk; atg1
Journal Title: Autophagy
Volume: 9
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1554-8627
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group  
Date Published: 2013-02-01
Start Page: 124
End Page: 137
Language: English
DOI: 10.4161/auto.23323
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC3552878
PUBMED: 23295650
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 1 March 2013" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Xuejun Jiang
    120 Jiang
  2. Pui-Mun Wong
    7 Wong
  3. Cindy Puente
    4 Puente