{
  "abstract": "During gametogenesis, organelle remodeling is coordinated alongside chromosome segregation to ensure gamete quality. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the precursor-cell vacuole permeabilizes following completion of meiotic divisions, releasing hydrolytic enzymes that degrade cellular material excluded from gametes. The regulation and biological significance of this developmentally-programmed process, termed mega-autophagy, remain poorly understood. Here we identify the conserved armadillo repeat-containing protein Vac8 as a key regulator of mega-autophagy. The presence of Vac8 during meiosis is required for timely execution of mega-autophagy. Specifically, during anaphase II, precursor-cell vacuoles undergo Vac8-dependent fusion to form fewer, larger structures. Deleting VAC8 disrupts this remodeling and impairs subsequent vacuolar permeabilization, establishing meiotic vacuolar fusion as a prerequisite for mega-autophagy. Defective mega-autophagy compromises the ability of gametes to exit dormancy and proliferate upon nutrient repletion. Together, these findings reveal that Vac8-mediated vacuolar remodeling during meiosis primes a post-meiotic quality-control mechanism that safeguards gamete developmental competence.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "T. Xiao"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. S. Styler"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Ünal"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5t53e3ge19324.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.05.756849",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.756849v1.full",
  "id": "5t53e3ge19324",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.756849v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "cell biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Autophagy in Disease and Therapy"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220861933",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.756849v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-05",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5t53e3ge19324.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:26:22Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.05.756849",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.756849v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:cell biology",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Vac8-driven vacuolar remodeling primes mega-autophagy and safeguardsgamete developmental competence",
  "title_text": "Vac8-driven vacuolar remodeling primes mega-autophagy and safeguardsgamete developmental competence",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:26:22Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5t53e3ge19324",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}