Cellular cleanup! Atg40 folds the endoplasmic reticulum to facilitate its autophagy
(Tokyo Institute of Technology) Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Institute of Microbial Chemistry investigated 'ER-phagy,' the degradation mechanism of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), an important organelle with multiple biologically necessary functions like the synthesis of proteins and lipids. Degradation is critical for maintaining ER functions. Scientists found that the 'Atg40' protein not only marks ER parts to be degraded by autophagy, but also folds them for efficient degradation, contributing to our understanding of a critical process in cellular maintenance.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news