These effects of SMER28 depend on VCP ATPase activity and are consistent with our recent observation that VCP inhibition decreases PI3K complex I assembly, PI(3)P formation, and autophagosome biogenesis15 and suggests that enhancing PI3K complex assembly should be considered as a promising therapeutic strategy to stimulate autophagy, for example in neurodegenerative diseases. The gene discussed is VCP; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.