Atg21p is essential for macropexophagy and microautophagy in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

ATG genes are required for autophagy-related processes that transport proteins/organelles destined for proteolytic degradation to the vacuole. Here, we describe the identification and characterisation of the Hansenula polymorpha ATG21 gene. Its gene product Hp-Atg21p, fused to eGFP, had a dual location in the cytosol and in peri-vacuolar dots. We demonstrate that Hp-Atg21p is essential for two separate modes of peroxisome degradation, namely glucose-induced macropexophagy and nitrogen limitation-induced microautophagy. In atg21 cells subjected to macropexophagy conditions, sequestration of peroxisomes tagged for degradation is initiated but fails to complete.