9T0C

Atg2-Atg18 complex from yeast

Summary for 9T0C

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb9t0c/pdb
• EMDB information: 55395
• Descriptor: Autophagy-related protein 2, Autophagy-related protein 18 (2 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: autophagy, lipid transfer, atg2, atg18, complex, lipid transport
• Biological source: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer's yeast); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 2
• Total formula weight: 238764.18

Authors

Chumpen Ramirez, S.,Shvarev, D.,Vargas Duarte, P.,Milach, J.,Lang, E.,Kuchenbuch, S.,Reggiori, F.,Moeller, A.,Ungermann, C. (deposition date: 2025-10-16, release date: 2026-06-03)

Primary citation

Ramirez, S.C.,Shvarev, D.,Vargas Duarte, P.,Ahmed, Y.,Milach, J.,Lang, E.,Kuchenbuch, S.,Vanni, S.,Reggiori, F.,Moeller, A.,Ungermann, C.
Atg18 interaction positions Atg2 for efficient lipid transfer into phagophore elongation.
Embo J., 2026

PubMed Abstract: During macroautophagy, the de novo formation of the autophagosome at a membrane contact site (MCS) with the endoplasmic reticulum requires directional lipid flux for the growth of the initial phagophore before its sealing into an autophagosome and subsequent fusion with the lysosome/vacuole. It remains unclear, however, how the formation of this specialized MCS and the directionality of the lipid flux are controlled. Here, we present the structure of the key lipid transfer protein Atg2 from yeast solved together with its Atg18 binding partner, a phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) effector, using cryo-electron microscopy. We reveal a new interface in Atg2 that, together with PtdIns3P, is required for Atg18 recruitment and lipid transfer activity. Furthermore, we visualize lipid densities along the internal hydrophobic cavity of Atg2, providing structural evidence that Atg2 cavity is filled with lipids throughout the entire length, even when Atg2 is cytosolic. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations show that the complex generates membrane curvature, efficiently positioning the lipid channel of Atg2 towards the membrane to promote lipid transfer into the elongating phagophore.

PubMed: 42162239
DOI: 10.1038/s44318-026-00802-3

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (4.5 Å)