The Legionella Effector RavZ Inhibits Host Autophagy Through Irreversible Atg8 Deconjugation

When intracellular pathogens like take up residence in mammalian host cells, they must combat the efforts of the host cell to attack them. Autophagy is a process by which cells digest their own constituents, often involved in response to starvation or pathogen attack. (p. , published online 25 October) now describe how can inhibit the autophagy pathway in eukaryotic cells, and provide a detailed description of the biochemical mechanism. A effector protein, RavZ, acts as a very potent enzyme that specifically deconjugates a key autophagy protein, Atg8, from autophagosomal membranes, thus blocking autophagy.

Duke Scholars

Author Brian M. Mugo Medicine, General Internal Medicine