Atg39-dependent nucleophagy and Atg40-dependent ER-phagy require the Apq12/Brr6/Brl1 complex.

Apq12/Brr6/Brl1 complex is essential for Atg39-dependent nucleophagy and Atg40-dependent ER-phagy, facilitating membrane scission and delivery to the vacuole.

• Why it matters: Understanding the mechanisms of selective autophagy of the nucleus and ER is crucial for insights into cellular homeostasis and disease, yet the membrane remodeling factors involved are unclear.
• What they did: The study used coimmunoprecipitation, crosslinking, and cellular imaging to analyze the role of the Apq12/Brr6/Brl1 complex in yeast, focusing on its interaction with autophagy receptors Atg39 and Atg40.
• The result: Findings reveal that this complex is required for membrane scission and vacuolar delivery of nuclear and ER components, enabling autophagic degradation and highlighting its role in membrane remodeling during selective autophagy.