Roles of p62/SQSTM1 and novel ATG8-binding proteins in selective autophagy and cell signalling

The aim of this project is to provide a better understanding of the roles of p62/SQSTM1 and novel ATG8-binding proteins, including NBR1, in selective autophagy and cell signalling. We have identified p62 and NBR1 as selective autophagy substrates and cargo receptors for degradation of ubiquitinated targets by autophagy. p62 also plays a pivotal role in several important cell signalling pathways. We therefore aim to determine the possible relationships between their autophagic degradation and cell signalling. Our discovery of the interaction of p62 and NBR1 with the ATG8 family of proteins involved in autophagy and vesicle transport enabled us to identify a number of novel interaction partners for the ATG8 family proteins. Several of these proteins will be analysed in this project for their relevance to autophagy, vesicle transport and cellular signalling pathways.