Reconstitution of membrane curvature sensing by the autophagy initiation machinery

Abstract

Several membrane curvature sensors have been identified among autophagy initiation proteins, but their ability to work together to sense curvature remains an open question. Here, we reconstituted the interaction of autophagy initiator complexes with curved membranes in vitro to quantify how curvature sensitivity could regulate autophagosome biogenesis. Using membrane nanotubes pulled from giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), we assayed the curvature sensing activity of autophagy initiating proteins, including PI3KC3-C1, ATG3, and ATG12-5-16.