title: Atg1-independent induction of autophagy by the Drosophila Ulk3 homolog, ADUK.
abstract: Although canonical autophagy regulation requires a multi-protein complex centered on the Ser/Thr-kinase Atg1 (mammalian Ulk1/2), alternative signals can induce autophagy independent of Atg1 through unknown mechanisms. Here we identify the Drosophila Ulk3 ortholog, another Drosophila Unc-51-like kinase (ADUK), as an Atg1-independent autophagy inducer. ADUK interacts with Atg1 complex members Atg13 and 200 kDa FAK family kinase-interacting protein, and requires Atg13 but not Atg1 for autophagy induction. Loss of ADUK shortens adult lifespan and reduces the autophagic response to a chemical stressor, dimethyl sulfoxide. However, ADUK is not required for autophagy induction by Atg1-dependent nutrient or developmental cues. Atg1 and ADUK/Ulk3 thus represent alternative catalytic components of a shared autophagy kinase complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Braden
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Neufeld
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001343:Autophagy; D000071189:Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071183:Autophagy-Related Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D011485:Protein Binding; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C541704:Atg13 protein, Drosophila; D000071183:Autophagy-Related Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C000621134:ADUK protein, Drosophila; C518074:Atg1 protein, Drosophila; D000071189:Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
keywords: 
  Drosophila
  ; Atg1; Ulk1; Ulk3; autophagy