title: Connections between SNAREs and autophagy.
abstract: Autophagy involves the sequestration of portions of cytoplasm by double-membraned autophagosomes, which are then trafficked to lysosomes. After autophagosome-lysosome fusion, the contents of the autophagosomes are degraded by lysosomal hydrolases. SNAREs [soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion (NSF) attachment protein receptors] are molecules that mediate vesicular fusion events. Here, we review recent data implicating SNAREs as having key roles both in the genesis of autophagosomes, as well as in autophagosome-lysosome fusion, and we discuss the implications of these findings in the context of a long-standing mystery: the origin of autophagosomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renna
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Rubinsztein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008954:Models, Biological; D010588:Phagosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D050600:SNARE Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D050600:SNARE Proteins