Myosin drives autophagy in a pathway linking Atg1 to Atg9

Autophagy is a cellular process in which specialized autodegradative vesicles, the autophagosomes, are formed. Much progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanism controlling autophagy, particularly the role of the Atg genes. In this issue, Tang et al identify a signalling pathway linking two main regulators, the Atg1 kinase - essential for the induction of the autophagosome - and the transmembrane protein Atg9, whose shuttling between the Golgi and the forming autophagosme provides a source of membrane for the new vesicle. This study provides the missing piece of the puzzle: Atg1 phosphorylates and activates a myosin light chain kinase, which in turn activates myosin to drive transport of Atg9.