The mammalian actin elongation factor ENAH/MENA contributes to autophagosome formation via its actin regulatory function

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a catabolic process crucial for degrading cytosolic components and damaged organelles to maintain cellular homeostasis, enabling cells to survive in extreme extracellular environments. ENAH/MENA, a member of the Ena/VASP protein family, functions as a highly efficient actin elongation factor. In this study, our objective was to explore the role of ENAH in the autophagy process. Initially, we demonstrated that depleting ENAH in cancer cells inhibits autophagosome formation. Subsequently, we observed ENAH’s colocalization with MAP1LC3/LC3 during tumor cell starvation, dependent on actin cytoskeleton polymerization and the interaction between ENAH and BECN1 (beclin 1). Additionally, mammalian ATG9A formed a ring-like structure around ENAH-LC3 puncta during starvation, relying on actin cytoskeleton polymerization. Furthermore, ENAH’s EVH1 and EVH2 domains were found to be indispensable for its colocalization with LC3 and BECN1, while the PRD domain played a crucial role in the formation of the ATG9A ring. Finally, our study revealed ENAH-led actin comet tails in autophagosome trafficking. In conclusion, our findings provide initial insights into the regulatory role of the mammalian actin elongation factor ENAH in autophagy. Abbreviations: 3-MA 3-methyladenine; ABPs actin-binding proteins; ATG autophagy related; ATG9A autophagy related 9A; Baf A1 bafilomycin A1; CM complete medium; CytERM endoplasmic reticulum signal-anchor membrane protein; Cyto D cytochalasin D; EBSS Earl’s balanced salt solution; ENAH/MENA ENAH actin regulator; EVH1 Ena/VASP homology 1 domain; EVH2 Ena/VASP homology 2 domain; GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; Lat B latrunculin B; LC3-I unlipidated form of LC3; LC3-II phosphatidylethanolamine-conjugated form of LC3; MAP1LC3/LC3 microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; mEGFP monomeric enhanced green fluorescent protein; mTagBFP2 monomeric Tag blue fluorescent protein 2; OSER organized smooth endoplasmic reticulum; PRD proline-rich domain; PtdIns3K class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; WM wortmannin.