DRAMs and autophagy: a family affair

Abstract

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that delivers intracellular materials to lysosomes for degradation. This process promotes cell survival by maintaining cellular homeostasis and supplying substrates to produce energy during nutrient-deprived conditions. DRAM1 (DNA damage regulated autophagy modulator 1) is involved in DNA-damage-induced autophagy and belongs to an evolutionarily conserved protein family, which contains five members in human. Our recent study provides the initial characterization of the last two members of the DRAM family in autophagy regulation. Our findings revealed that TMEM150C/DRAM4 (transmembrane protein 150C) and TMEM150A/DRAM5 are nutrient-responsive members of the DRAM family that manifest interconnected roles in modulating the autophagic flux and cell survival under nutrient-deprived conditions. Abbreviations DRAM1: DNA damage regulated autophagy modulator 1 EBSS: Earle’s balanced salt solution MAP1LC3/LC3: Microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3

Keywords

• autophagy
• cell survival
• dram family
• dram4
• dram5
• nutrient deprivation