Model of the LC3-interacting motif (LIR) of NBR1 as a multifunctional protein interaction hotspot governing NBR1 flux. NBR1 engages three key partners—Atg8-family proteins, FIP200, and TAX1BP1—through a single short linear interaction motif (SLiM). This one-to-many binding mechanism is facilitated by distinct but overlapping determinants, likely representing an evolutionary tradeoff between related, but nonidentical, consensus motifs. Additional multivalent interactions mediated by TAX1BP1 further enable receptor coordination and optimal flux.