Metabolism and autophagy in plants—a perfect match. Issue 17 (6th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Magen, Sahar; Seybold, Heike; Laloum, Daniel; Avin‐Wittenberg, Tamar
• Is Part Of: FEBS letters. Volume 596:Issue 17(2022)
• Page Start: 2133
• Page End: 2151
• Publication Date: 2022-05-06
• Subjects: Arabidopsis -- ATG genes -- autophagy -- carbon -- crops -- metabolism -- micronutrients -- nitrogen -- plant -- yield; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Biochemistry; Biophysics; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 572.05
• DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14359
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-5793

Abstract

Abstract : Autophagy is a eukaryotic cellular transport mechanism that delivers intracellular macromolecules, proteins, and even organelles to a lytic organelle (vacuole in yeast and plants/lysosome in animals) for degradation and nutrient recycling. The process is mediated by highly conserved autophagy‐related (ATG) proteins. In plants, autophagy maintains cellular homeostasis under favorable conditions, guaranteeing normal plant growth and fitness. Severe stress such as nutrient starvation and plant senescence further induce it, thus ensuring plant survival under unfavorable conditions by providing nutrients through the removal of damaged or aged proteins, or organelles. In this article, we examine the interplay between metabolism and autophagy, focusing on the different aspects of this reciprocal relationship. We show that autophagy has a strong influence on a range of metabolic processes, whereas at the same time, even single metabolites can activate autophagy. We highlight the involvement of ATG genes in metabolism, examine the role of the macronutrients carbon and nitrogen, and various micronutrients, and take a closer look at how the interaction between autophagy and metabolism impacts on plant phenotypes and yield. Abstract : Autophagy is a degradation mechanism functioning in plant metabolism to sustain plant growth and development. Shortage of nutrients represents a stress that activates autophagy, which in turn balances nutrient homeostasis. We present a detailed overview of this reciprocal relationship using different nutrients as examples and highlight the implications of autophagy activity on plant fitness and yield during metabolic stress.