How TBK1 adds phosphate to WIPI2 to connect bacteria detection with autophagosome formation in cell cleaning

TBK1 phosphorylates WIPI2 at Ser96, enhancing its role in autophagosome formation during Salmonella Typhimurium infection.

• WIPI2 is identified as a novel phosphorylation target of TBK1 in the context of bacterial infection.
• Phosphorylation at Ser96 increases WIPI2's interaction with ATG16L1 and its binding to PtdIns3P.
• The localization of WIPI2 to bacteria is dependent on its interaction with ATG16L1 associated with the Salmonella-containing vacuole.
• TBK1-mediated phosphorylation of WIPI2 is necessary for effective bacterial clearance.
• The study suggests a mechanism linking bacterial recognition with the assembly of autophagosomes.

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