The Golgi as an assembly line to the autophagosome

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Abstract

Autophagy is traditionally depicted as a signaling cascade that culminates in the formation of an autophagosome that degrades cellular cargo. However, recent studies have identified myriad pathways and cellular organelles underlying the autophagy process, be it as signaling platforms or through the contribution of proteins and lipids. The Golgi complex is recognized as being a central transport hub in the cell, with a critical role in endocytic trafficking and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to plasma membrane (PM) transport. However, the Golgi is also an important site of key autophagy regulators, including the protein autophagy-related (ATG)-9A and the lipid, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate [PI(4)P]. In this review, we highlight the central function of this organelle in autophagy as a transport hub supplying various components of autophagosome formation.