Cdks regulate autophagy via Vps34.
In this issue of Molecular Cell, Junying Yuan's group has shown that cyclin-dependent kinases phosphorylate and inactivate Vps34, resulting in autophagy downregulation (Furuya et al., 2010). This phenomenon can explain how autophagy is controlled during mitosis, and has potential importance for understanding the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and cancers.
Rubinsztein
David C
DC
Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. dcr1000@hermes.cam.ac.uk