Toward the role of cholesterol and cholesterol transfer protein in autophagosome biogenesis.

A forward chemical genetic approach led to identification of autogramins as novel autophagy inhibitors. Autogramins selectively target the cholesterol transfer protein GRAMD1A (GRAM domain containing 1A). Autogramins compete with cholesterol binding to the StART domain of GRAMD1A, thereby inhibiting its cholesterol transfer activity. GRAMD1A associates with phosphatidylinositol monophosphate via its GRAM domain. GRAMD1A accumulates at autophagosome initiation sites upon starvation. This protein is involved in cholesterol distribution in response to starvation and is required for autophagosome biogenesis. Therefore, we identify a novel function of GRAMD1A and a new role of cholesterol in macroautophagy/autophagy.