# Endosomal Microautophagy in Drosophila

> **NIH NIH R01** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $467,010

## Abstract

Endosomal Microautophagy in Drosophila
 Caring for an ever aging society represents an increasing socio-economic burden and
continuing efforts are required to improve healthspan. Critically, aging is a major ‘risk
factor’ for devastating diseases including cancer, immune and cardiovascular diseases,
as well as dementias due to neurodegeneration, all of which are strongly affected by a
decline in proteostasis. Damaged or altered cytosolic proteins are cleared by the
proteasome and autophagy. Importantly, autophagy has the additional role of providing
nutrients to cells under stress conditions such as starvation, and is thus essential for
energy balance. The removal of damaged organelles and aggregated proteins is thus
essential to protect the nervous system, the liver and kidneys against age related
disorders.
Macroautophagy (MA), chaperone mediated autophagy (CMA) and endosomal
microautophagy (eMI) are the three major forms of autophagy. MA engulfs bulk-regions
of cytoplasm including organelles in a double membrane vesicle (autophagosome).
Autophagosome fusion with lysosomes leads to the degradation of the engulfed material.
CMA and eMI mostly degrade proteins containing a targeting motif (KFERQ related
sequences) that is recognized by the cytoplasmic Hsc70. We have established a genetic
system to study eMI in Drosophila, overcoming a significant hurdle preventing the
characterization of the physiological role of eMI, which previously had only been
characterized biochemically and by EM in mammals. Hence, we can exploit the genetic
power of Drosophila to assess the role of this most recent variant of autophagy.
 Using our system, we will determine the physiological function and regulation of eMI. In
particular, we will identify biological processes controlled by eMI. Furthermore, we will
address how kinases we have identified as candidate regulators alter eMI, with a focus on
Drosophila models of human neurodegenerative diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10365784
- **Project number:** 2R01GM119160-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** ANDREAS JENNY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $467,010
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-02-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10365784

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10365784, Endosomal Microautophagy in Drosophila (2R01GM119160-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10365784. Licensed CC0.

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