EN6 is a small-molecule in vivo autophagy activator that covalently targets cysteine 277 in the ATP6V1A subunit of the lysosomal v-ATPase. EN6-mediated modification of ATP6V1A uncouples v-ATPase from Rag, leading to inhibition of mTORC1 signalling, increased lysosomal acidification, and activation of autophagy. EN6 also scavenges TDP-43 aggregates (causative agents of frontotemporal dementia) in a lysosome-dependent manner.
