Transferrin receptor controls both autophagosome formation and closure

Multiple sequential coordinated steps are required for autophagosome formation. 

The researchers demonstrate that the transferrin receptor (TfR) promotes autophagy by recruiting VPS34 complex I by binding its component VPS15, enabling PI(3)P synthesis.

The authors show that TfR depletion impairs autophagic flux and its overexpression stimulates this catabolic process in an iron-independent manner. 

The PI(3)P is crucial not only for autophagy initiation via WIPI2 recruitment but also for autophagosome closure through the recruitment of the PI (3)P-binding ESCRT protein VPS36.

https://www.cell.com/developmental-cell/fulltext/S1534-5807(25)00327-2

https://sciencemission.com/Transferrin-receptor-controls-both-autophagosome