Autophagy and p70S6 kinase

A paper by Scott et al.,(1) suggested that p70S6 kinase (p70S6k) is a positive regulatory factor for autophagy (Fig. 1). This finding is in contrast to previous data suggesting a negative role for this factor. The Scott et al. article was highlighted in Nature News & Views,2 which elicited a commentary by A.J. Meijer and P. Codogno. These authors present an alternate model for the role of p70S6k in autophagic induction, although still as a positive factor. Following the initial commentary is a response by TA Neufeld and R.C. Scott.