FAM134/RETREG family members are ER-phagy receptors that maintain cellular homeostasis by regulating endoplasmic reticulum turnover. However, possible non-ER-phagy functions of FAM134 proteins remain elusive. Here, we show that RETREG3/FAM134C functions as a selective autophagy receptor for the type I BMP receptor (BMPRIA/ALK3) and recruits BMPRIA into LC3-containing autophagosomes for subsequent degradation. FAM134C-induced degradation diminishes the availability of BMP receptors and thus the strength of BMP signaling. Inhibition of autophagy through chemical means or knockdown of key autophagy regulators, ATG5 or Beclin-1, prevents BMPR1A degradation. Additionally, disruption of the putative LC3-interacting region (LIR) motif in FAM134C completely abolishes its interaction with LC3, thereby impeding its ability to degrade BMPR1A. Moreover, FAM134C-deficient mice exhibit enhanced BMP responses in the intestines, which affects intestinal crypt regeneration. Our findings suggest that FAM134C acts as a specific receptor that controls BMP signaling through the autophagic degradation of the type I BMP receptor, independent of its canonical role in ER-phagy.
Keywords: Autophagy; Degradation; RETREG; Smad; TGF-β.
© 2025. The Author(s).