InterPro domain: IPR026849

Pexophagy is an autophagic process consisting of the rapid and selective degradation of peroxisomes. Autophagy-related protein 2 (ATG2) is required for glucose-induced micropexophagy and ethanol-induced macropexophagy in yeast [ 1 , 2 ]. Homologues of this protein have also been described in mammals and plants. Mammalian ATG2 proteins are thought to function both in autophagosome (a structure that enclose the cytoplasmic materials) formation and regulation of lipid droplet morphology and dispersion [ 3 ]. In plants they have a role in programmed cell death, senescence and disease resistance [ 4 ].

1. GSA11 encodes a unique 208-kDa protein required for pexophagy and autophagy in Pichia pastoris. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 42422-35
2. Paz2 and 13 other PAZ gene products regulate vacuolar engulfment of peroxisomes during micropexophagy. Genes Cells 7, 75-90
3. Mammalian Atg2 proteins are essential for autophagosome formation and important for regulation of size and distribution of lipid droplets. Mol. Biol. Cell 23, 896-909
4. ATG2, an autophagy-related protein, negatively affects powdery mildew resistance and mildew-induced cell death in Arabidopsis. Plant J. 68, 74-87