Reconstitution of BNIP3/NIX-mitophagy initiation reveals hierarchical flexibility of the autophagy machinery

Adriaenssens, E; Schaar, S; Cook, ASI; Stuke, JFM; Sawa-Makarska, J; Nguyen, TN; Ren, X; Schuschnig, M; Romanov, J; Khuu, G; Uoselis, L; Lazarou, M; Hummer, G; Hurley, JH; Martens, S

Author(s): Adriaenssens, E; Schaar, S; Cook, ASI; Stuke, JFM; Sawa-Makarska, J; Nguyen, TN; Ren, X; Schuschnig, M; Romanov, J; Khuu, G; Uoselis, L; Lazarou, M; Hummer, G; Hurley, JH; Martens, S;
Details: Publication Year 2025-08,Volume 27,Issue #8,Page 1272-1287
Journal Title: Nature Cell Biology
Abstract: Selective autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway that is critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis by disposing of harmful cellular material. Although the mechanisms by which soluble cargo receptors recruit the autophagy machinery are becoming increasingly clear, the principles governing how organelle-localized transmembrane cargo receptors initiate selective autophagy remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the human transmembrane cargo receptors can initiate autophagosome biogenesis not only by recruiting the upstream FIP200/ULK1 complex but also via a WIPI-ATG13 complex. This latter pathway is employed by the BNIP3/NIX receptors to trigger mitophagy. Additionally, other transmembrane mitophagy receptors, including FUNDC1 and BCL2L13, exclusively use the FIP200/ULK1 complex, whereas FKBP8 and the ER-phagy receptor TEX264 are capable of utilizing both pathways to initiate autophagy. Our study defines the molecular rules for initiation by transmembrane cargo receptors, revealing remarkable flexibility in the assembly and activation of the autophagy machinery, with important implications for therapeutic interventions.
Publisher: Springer Nature
Keywords: Humans; *Membrane Proteins/metabolism/genetics; *Mitophagy; *Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism/genetics; *Autophagy; Autophagosomes/metabolism; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/metabolism; HEK293 Cells; *Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism/genetics; HeLa Cells; *Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism/genetics; Autophagy-Related Proteins/metabolism; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism/genetics; Signal Transduction
Research Division(s): Ubiquitin Signalling
PubMed ID: 40715440
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-025-01712-y
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-025-01712-y
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2025-08-08 03:11:35

Last Modified: 2025-08-29 08:42:32