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Autophagic Punctum

Targeting Beclin 1 for viral subversion of macroautophagy

Monique Gannagé, Patrick C. Rämer and Christian Münz

We have recently characterized that influenza A virus blocks autophagosome degradation via its matrix protein 2. Matrix protein 2 seems to achieve this macroautophagy inhibition not by its well-characterized proton channel function, but possibly due to its binding to Atg6/Beclin 1, thereby enhancing the death of its host cell. Here we discuss several viruses that now have been described to compromise macroautophagy via binding to Atg6/Beclin 1 with different outcomes for their replication, and how interaction with one and the same protein could inhibit autophagosome generation or degradation.

Punctum to: Gannage M, Dormann D, Albrecht R, Dengjel J, Lee M, Torossi T, Rämer PC, Strowig T, Arrey F, Conenello G, Pypaert M, Andersen J, Garcia-Sastre A, Münz C. Matrix protein 2 of influenza A virus blocks autophagosome fusion with lysosomes. Cell Host Microbe 2009; 6:367-80; PMID: 19837376; DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2009.09.005.

Authors

Monique Gannagé

Viral Immunobiology; Institute of Experimental Immunology; University Hospital of Zürich; Zürich, Switzerland

Patrick C. Rämer

Viral Immunobiology; Institute of Experimental Immunology; University Hospital of Zürich; Zürich, Switzerland

Christian Münz Corresponding author: christian.muenz@usz.ch

Viral Immunobiology; Institute of Experimental Immunology; University Hospital of Zürich; Zürich, Switzerland