Alternative careers at the autophagy factory

During autophagy, proteins of the ATG8 family are conjugated to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in double-membrane structures called phagophores. Now, Durgan et al. have found that, during the non-canonical process of conjugating ATG8 proteins to single-membrane structures, ATG8 can be ligated to phosphatidylserine. Here, I discuss the potential consequences of their findings.

Automated summary

The study reveals a non-canonical process in which ATG8 proteins can be ligated to phosphatidylserine, potentially leading to different consequences during autophagy.