Fig. 1.

Schematic representation of autophagy. (A) Upon starvation the Atg1 kinase complex is recruited to the PAS, where it tethers and organizes Atg9 vesicles. ERGIC derived COPII vesicles, competent in Atg8-family protein lipidation are also recruited to the PAS. Subsequently, an isolation membrane is generated and decorated with Atg8-family proteins. (B) The isolation membrane expands to enwrap cytoplasmic cargo material while different mechanisms are at work to maintain its shape. Later, the isolation membrane closes, generating a mature autophagosome, which in turn fuses with the lysosome leading to the degradation of the inner autophagosomal membrane and the cytoplasmic cargo material.