BECLIN1 is essential for intestinal homeostasis involving autophagy-independent mechanisms through its function in endocytic trafficking

Autophagy-related genes have been closely associated with intestinal homeostasis. BECLIN1 is a component of Class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complexes that orchestrate autophagy initiation and endocytic trafficking. Here we show intestinal epithelium-specific BECLIN1 deletion in adult mice leads to rapid fatal enteritis with compromised gut barrier integrity, highlighting its intrinsic critical role in gut maintenance. BECLIN1-deficient intestinal epithelial cells exhibit …