Arabidopsis ATG11, a scaffold that links the ATG1-ATG13 kinase complex to general autophagy and selective mitophagy

Autophagy is essential for nutrient recycling and intracellular housekeeping in plants by removing unwanted cytoplasmic constituents, aggregated polypeptides, and damaged organelles. The autophagy-related (ATG) 1-ATG13 kinase complex is an upstream regulator that integrates metabolic and environmental cues into a coherent autophagic response directed by other ATG components. Our recent studies with Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that ATG11, an accessory protein of the ATG1-ATG13 complex, acts as a scaffold that connects the complex to autophagic membranes. We showed that ATG11 encourages proper behavior of the ATG1-ATG13 complex and faithful delivery of autophagic vesicles to the vacuole, likely through its interaction with ATG8. In addition, we demonstrated that Arabidopsis mitochondria are degraded during senescence via an autophagic route that requires ATG11 and other ATG components. Together, ATG11 appears to be an important modulator of the ATG1-ATG13 complex and a multifunctional scaffold required for bulk autophagy and the selective clearance of mitochondria.