Figure 1.Molecular composition of the hypothetical autophagic switch. Irrespective of
the primary stress signal, a homogeneous response would be obtained by the
independent activation of molecular complexes organized around the IκB
kinase (IKK), cytoplasmic p53, mTOR and Beclin 1. Within these complexes
(and perhaps others), proteins would undergo reversible post-translational
modifications and/or shuttle from one complex to another, thereby
determining the function of the integrator/switch that activates autophagy.
Please note that the autophagic switch is expected to contain several
positive feedback loops that determine its (in)activation.
