A study by Takayoshi Kirisako and colleagues characterized Apg8/Aut7p, a protein essential for autophagy in yeast. Apg8p is upregulated during starvation and localizes to membrane-bound structures. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that Apg8p changes its localization during starvation, moving from small dot structures to large punctate structures, some of which are confirmed to be autophagosomes. Apg8p is also enriched on isolation membranes and electron less-dense regions. The study found that Apg8p is crucial for autophagosome formation, as apg8 null mutants show severe defects in autophagosome formation. The results indicate that microtubules are not essential for autophagy in yeast, contradicting previous proposals. Apg8p is localized on autophagosomes and their precursor structures during starvation. The study also identified intermediate structures during autophagosome formation, suggesting a model for the formation process. Apg8p is a key molecule for identifying these intermediate structures. The study shows that Apg8p is essential for autophagosome formation and that its expression is upregulated during starvation. The findings highlight the role of Apg8p in autophagy and its importance in the formation of autophagosomes.A study by Takayoshi Kirisako and colleagues characterized Apg8/Aut7p, a protein essential for autophagy in yeast. Apg8p is upregulated during starvation and localizes to membrane-bound structures. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that Apg8p changes its localization during starvation, moving from small dot structures to large punctate structures, some of which are confirmed to be autophagosomes. Apg8p is also enriched on isolation membranes and electron less-dense regions. The study found that Apg8p is crucial for autophagosome formation, as apg8 null mutants show severe defects in autophagosome formation. The results indicate that microtubules are not essential for autophagy in yeast, contradicting previous proposals. Apg8p is localized on autophagosomes and their precursor structures during starvation. The study also identified intermediate structures during autophagosome formation, suggesting a model for the formation process. Apg8p is a key molecule for identifying these intermediate structures. The study shows that Apg8p is essential for autophagosome formation and that its expression is upregulated during starvation. The findings highlight the role of Apg8p in autophagy and its importance in the formation of autophagosomes.