Transport Particle Protein (TRAPP) is Implicated in the Regulation of Autophagy

Abstract

The conserved process of autophagy is a degradation process vital to cellular homeostasis. The initial step of autophagy occurs through the formation of the preautophagosomal structure (PAS). Although this step is central to autophagy, its onset and formation remains poorly characterized. Here colocalization studies are used to identify factors to associate TRAPP and the PAS to better elucidate the formation of the PAS. Our findings did not identify additional TRAPP subunits involved with autophagy. However, our study supports the association of TRAPP III with the PAS; specifically the Trs85 subunit unique to TRAPP III. In addition, TRAPP III is suggested to be involved with the expansion of the PAS into a vesicle.