p62 bodies: Phase separation, NRF2 activation, and selective autophagic degradation

Abstract

When p62/Sequestosome-1 binds to a ubiquitinated protein, it undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and forms a membraneless organelle, p62 body. There are two major physiological functions of the p62 body. One is effective autophagic degradation of ubiquitinated proteins and the other is antioxidant stress response, both of which contribute to cellular homeostasis. In this review, I review the history of p62 research in relation to autophagy and outline the formation, degradation, and physiological functions of the p62 body.

Keywords: KEAP1; NRF2; autophagy; liquid-liquid phase separation; p62.