A semisynthetic Atg3 reveals that acetylation promotes Atg3 membrane binding and Atg8 lipidation

Acetylation of Atg3 regulates lipidation of Atg8 and therefore autophagy, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, Li et al. semi-synthesize diacetylated Atg3, allowing them to show that acetylated Atg3 enhances Atg8 lipidation by promoting interaction of Atg3 with liposomes containing physiological levels of phosphatidylethanolamine.