A conserved membrane curvature-generating protein is crucial for autophagosome formation in fission yeast

Rop1 is the single representaive of a subfamily of the membrane-curvature generating REEPs in fission yeast. Wang et al. show that Rop1 is crucial for the macroautophagy of organelles and cytosolic proteins, facilitating autophagosome formation. Organelles are shaped by curvature-generating proteins, which include the reticulons and REEPs that are involved in forming the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A conserved REEP subfamily differs from the ER-shaping REEPs in abundance and membrane topology and has unidentified functions. Here, we show that Rop1, the single member of this family in the fission yeast Schizosacharomyces pombe, is crucial for the macroautophagy of organelles and cytosolic proteins. Rop1 is needed for the formation of phagophores, cup-like structures consisting of two closely apposed membrane sheets that encapsulate cargo. It is recruited at early stages to phagophores and is required for their maturation into autophagosomes. Rop1 function relies on its ability to generate high membrane curvature and on its colocalization with the autophagy component Atg2 that is thought to reside at the phagophore rim. We propose that Rop1 facilitates the formation and growth of the double-membrane structure of the autophagosome.

Automated summary

Rop1 is the only member of a subfamily of membrane-curvature generating REEPs in fission yeast. Wang et al. demonstrate that Rop1 is crucial for macroautophagy by facilitating autophagosome formation. Rop1 functions in the generation of high membrane curvature and colocalizes with the autophagy component Atg2 at the phagophore rim.