17. 07. 2025
Deciphering the role of membrane microdomains in the regulation of autophagy
Lecturer: Jakub Zahumenský, Ph.D. / Department of Functional Organisation of Biomembranes
Annotation: Autophagy maintains homeostasis by regulated breakdown of damaged, redundant and harmful cellular components. Yet, despite over 30 years of intense research, key regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. We aim to define previously unexplored modes of autophagy regulation, highlighting the role of membrane microdomains. Specifically, we will identify the yeast plasma membrane microdomain MCC/eisosome—an environmental sensor and signalling hub involved in the regulation of diverse cellular processes—as a platform for inactivation of autophagy inhibitors by their removal from the cytosol, and as a repository of membrane-sculpting proteins and stabilisers of autophagy complexes. Furthermore, we will demonstrate the conservation of these principles in higher organisms, exploring the therapeutic potential of microdomain-driven autophagy regulation in mouse neurons, where autophagy is crucial in recovery after spinal cord injury. Our findings may also inform the treatment of widespread human conditions, such as neurological disorders, diabetes or cancer, which are tightly linked to autophagy.
