Genetic interactions between Drosophila melanogaster Atg1 and paxillin reveal a role for paxillin in autophagosome formation

Guang-Chao Chen, Janice Y. Lee, Hong-Wen Tang, Jayanta Debnath, Sheila M. Thomas and Jeffrey Settleman

volume 4 | issue 1

1 January 2008
Pages: 37 - 45

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Autophagy is a conserved cellular process of macromolecule recycling that involves vesicle-mediated degradation of cytoplasmic components. Autophagy plays essential roles in normal cell homeostasis and development, the response to stresses such as nutrient starvation, and contributes to disease processes including cancer and neurodegeneration. Although many of the autophagy components identified from genetic screens in yeast are well conserved in higher organisms, the mechanisms by which this process is regulated in any species are just beginning to be elucidated. In a genetic screen in Drosophila melanogaster, we have identified a link between the focal adhesion protein paxillin and the Atg1 kinase, which has been previously implicated in autophagy. In mammalian cells, we find that paxillin is redistributed from focal adhesions during nutrient deprivation, and paxillin-deficient cells exhibit defects in autophagosome formation. Together, these findings reveal a novel evolutionarily conserved role for paxillin in autophagy.

Authors

Guang-Chao Chen

Academia Sinica

Janice Y. Lee

Beth Israel deaconess Medical Center

Hong-Wen Tang

Academica Sinica

Jayanta Debnath

Beth Israel deaconess Medical Center

Sheila M. Thomas

Harvard

Jeffrey Settleman

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

We now provide open access to journal articles published online for one year or more. This article may be downloaded at the following link: