Beclin 1 regulates neuronal transforming growth factor-β signaling by mediating recycling of the type I receptor ALK5

BACKGROUND: Beclin 1 is a key regulator of multiple trafficking pathways, including autophagy and receptor recycling in yeast and microglia. Decreased beclin 1 levels in the CNS result in neurodegeneration, an effect attributed to impaired autophagy. However, neurons also rely heavily on trophic factors, and signaling through these pathways requires the proper trafficking of trophic factor receptors. RESULTS: We discovered that beclin 1 regulates signaling through the neuroprotective TGF-β pathway. Beclin 1 is required for recycling of the type I TGF-β receptor ALK5. We show that beclin 1 recruits the retromer to ALK5 and facilitates its localization to Rab11(+) endosomes. Decreased levels of beclin 1, or its binding partners VPS34 and UVRAG, impair TGF-β signaling. CONCLUSIONS: These findings identify beclin 1 as a positive regulator of a trophic signaling pathway via receptor recycling, and suggest that neuronal death induced by decreased beclin 1 levels may also be due to impaired trophic factor signaling. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13024-015-0065-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.