title: Canonical and noncanonical functions of ULK/Atg1.
abstract: Mammalian Unc-51-like kinases 1 and 2 (ULK1 and ULK2) belong to the ULK/Atg1 family of serine/threonine kinases, which are conserved from yeast to mammals. Although ULK/Atg1 is best known for regulating flux through the autophagy pathway, it has evolutionarily conserved noncanonical functions in protein trafficking that are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. As a direct target of energy- and nutrient-sensing kinases, ULK/Atg1 is positioned to regulate the distribution and use of cellular resources in response to metabolic cues. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms through which ULK/Atg1 carries out its canonical and noncanonical functions and the signaling pathways that link its function to metabolism. We also highlight potential contributions of ULK/Atg1 in human diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, United States. Electronic address: Mondira.Kundu@STJUDE.ORG.
authors.forename: Mondira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kundu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D000071189:Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000071189:Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases