In Vivo Analysis of Autophagy in Response to Nutrient Starvation Using Transgenic Mice Expressing a Fluorescent Autophagosome Marker

• DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e03-09-0704
• Publication Date: 2003-12-30T01:14:01Z
• Authors: Noboru Mizushima; Akitsugu Yamamoto; Makoto Matsui; Tamotsu Yoshimori; Yoshinori Ohsumi
• Keywords: Autophagosome; ATG8; Organelle

Macroautophagy mediates the bulk degradation of cytoplasmic components. It accounts for most long-lived proteins: constituents, including organelles, are sequestered into autophagosomes, which subsequently fuse with lysosomes, where occurs. Although possible involvement autophagy in homeostasis, development, cell death, and pathogenesis has been repeatedly pointed out, systematic vivo analysis not performed mammals, mainly because a limitation monitoring methods. To understand when occurs vivo, we have generated transgenic mice systemically expressing GFP fused to LC3, is mammalian homologue yeast Atg8 (Aut7/Apg8) serves as marker protein autophagosomes. Fluorescence microscopic analyses revealed that differently induced by nutrient starvation tissues. In some tissues, even actively without treatments. Our results suggest regulation organ dependent role restricted response. This mouse model useful tool study autophagy.