How E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Help Selective Forms of Cellular Self-Cleaning

Macroautophagy can eliminate protein complexes, organelles, and pathogens, unlike the ubiquitin-proteasome-system, which only degrades individual proteins.

• Different types of macroautophagy, such as mitophagy and aggrephagy, target specific substrates for degradation.
• E3 ubiquitin ligases play a critical role in determining which substrates are marked for selective macroautophagy.
• Selective autophagy receptors recognize ubiquitin chains attached to cargo, facilitating their sequestration into autophagosomes.
• A better understanding of E3 ubiquitin ligases may enhance therapeutic approaches for diseases involving targeted degradation.

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