Macroautophagy, commonly referred to as autophagy, is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process that plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. It orchestrates the delivery of dysfunctional or surplus cellular materials to the vacuole or lysosome for degradation and recycling, particularly during adverse conditions. Over the past few decades, research has unveiled intricate regulatory mechanisms governing autophagy through various post-translational modifications (PTMs). Among these PTMs, acetylation modification has emerged as a focal point in yeast and animal studies. It plays a pivotal role in autophagy by directly targeting core components within the central machinery of autophagy, including autophagy initiation, nucleation, phagophore expansion, and autophagosome maturation. Additionally, acetylation modulates autophagy at the transcriptional level by modifying histones and transcription factors. Despite its well-established significance in yeast and mammals, the role of acetylation in plant autophagy remains largely unexplored, and the precise regulatory mechanisms remain enigmatic. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the current understanding of the function and underlying mechanisms of acetylation in regulating autophagy across yeast, mammals, and plants. We particularly highlight recent advances in deciphering the impact of acetylation on plant autophagy. These insights not only provide valuable guidance but also inspire further scientific inquiries into the intricate role of acetylation in plant autophagy.
