Plasma membrane contributes to the formation of pre-autophagosomal structures

Autophagy is a catabolic process where lysosomes degrade intracytoplasmic contents transported in double-membraned autophagosomes. Autophagosomes are formed by elongation and fusion of phagophores, which derive from pre-autophagosomal structures. The membrane origins of autophagosomes are unclear and may involve multiple sources, including the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Here we show in mammalian cells that clathrin heavy-chain interacts with Atg16L1, and is involved in the formation of Atg16L1-positive early autophagosome precursors. Inhibition of clathrin-mediated internalisation reduced the formation of both Atg16L1-positive precursors and mature autophagosomes, while Atg16L1 associated with clathrin-coated structures. We tested and demonstrated that the plasma membrane (PM) directly contributes to the formation of early Atg16L1-positive autophagosome precursors. This may be particularly important during periods of increased autophagosome formation, as the plasma membrane may serve as a large membrane reservoir that allows cells periods of autophagosome synthesis at levels many-fold higher than under basal conditions, without compromising other processes.