Table 1 Functions of autophagy-related proteins in parasitic infection

Atg1 (ULK1) complex (FIP200/Atg101)

Activates the PI3K class III complex

[41,42,43]

Atg3

E2-conjugating enzyme; autocatalyzes itself to form ATG12-ATG3 complex for maintaining

mitochondrial homeostasis

[8, 41]

Atg4

Recycling improperly conjugated Atg8

[41, 44]

Atg7

E1-activating enzyme and protein transport

[41, 45]

Atg8 (LC3)

Membrane elongation and autophagosome closure require covalent attachment of the C-terminal glycine to PE in the phagophore membrane

[41, 46]

Atg9

Golgi-derived membranes supply during initiation to the PAS

[47, 48]

Atg10

E2-like enzyme in ATG12 conjugation with Atg5

[8, 49]

Atg16

Autophagic vacuole formation; Protein transport and degradation

[45, 50, 51]

PI3K class III complex (Vps34, Atg14, Vps15/p150, and Atg6/Beclin1)

Converts PI into PI(3)P at the site of the PAS

[41, 52]

Atg12-Atg5- Atg16

Increase conjugation of Atg5 (Atg 8 in yeast) and autophagosome formation

[52,53,54]

Atg2-WIPI complex (Atg2-Atg18 in yeast)

Recruitment to the PAS and WD40 repeats for beta propeller formation. Atg18 also prevent Atg4 cleavage

[8, 55]