Acetylation of Atg3 regulates lipidation of Atg8 and therefore autophagy, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, Liet 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.
