title: Open and closed HORMAs regulate autophagy initiation.
abstract: The Atg1/ULK complex functions as the most upstream factor among Atg proteins to initiate autophagy. ATG101 is a constitutive component of the Atg1/ULK complex in most eukaryotes except for budding yeast, and plays an essential role in autophagy; however, the structure and functions of ATG101 were largely unknown. Recently, we determined the crystal structure of fission yeast Atg101 in complex with the closed HORMA domain of Atg13, revealing that Atg101 is also a HORMA protein with an open conformation. These 2 HORMA proteins play essential roles in autophagy initiation through recruiting downstream factors to the autophagosome formation site.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN) ; Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Hironori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: b Graduate School of Medicine; The University of Tokyo ; Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaizuka
authors.affiliation: b Graduate School of Medicine; The University of Tokyo ; Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Noboru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mizushima
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN) ; Tokyo , Japan.|c Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology; Japan Science and Technology Agency ; Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuo N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Noda
keywords: Atg101; Atg13; HORMA; ULK complex; autophagy initiation; crystal structure