Atg19s

Atg19s refers to a group of proteins that play a crucial role in autophagy, a cellular process responsible for degrading and recycling damaged organelles and proteins. Specifically, Atg19s are involved in selective autophagy, a pathway that targets specific cargo for degradation. In yeast, Atg19 is a key component of the autophagic machinery, acting as a receptor that binds to specific cargo molecules and links them to the growing autophagosome membrane. This binding is mediated by an Atg8-family protein, which is conjugated to the cargo.

The Atg19 protein itself possesses a domain that interacts with Atg8 proteins, and another domain that recognizes specific cargo molecules. This dual-functionality allows Atg19 to bridge the gap between the cargo and the autophagosome formation site. While Atg19 is well-characterized in yeast, homologous proteins have been identified in other organisms, suggesting a conserved role for these selective autophagy receptors. The precise mechanisms and the full repertoire of cargo recognized by Atg19s and their homologs are areas of ongoing research. Understanding the function of Atg19s is important for comprehending cellular quality control and has implications for various diseases associated with impaired autophagy, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.