Fusion of UFM1<sup>ΔC4</sup> to p62<sup>2KR</sup> (p62<sup>2KR</sup>-UFM1<sup>ΔC4</sup>) restores the p62-mediated pathogenic autophagic degradation in primary cortical neurons and Huntington's disease mouse striatum. Here, SQSTM1 is linked to Huntington disease.