Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3A (Autophagy-related protein LC3 A) (Autophagy-related ubiquitin-like modifier LC3 A) (MAP1 light chain 3-like protein 1) (MAP1A/MAP1B light chain 3 A) (MAP1A/MAP1B LC3 A) (Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha)
MAP1A and MAP1B are microtubule-associated proteins which mediate the physical interactions between microtubules and components of the cytoskeleton. MAP1A and MAP1B each consist of a heavy chain subunit and multiple light chain subunits. The protein encoded by this gene is one of the light chain subunits and can associate with either MAP1A or MAP1B. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. The expression of variant 1 is suppressed in many tumor cell lines, suggesting that may be involved in carcinogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2012],function:Probably involved in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles (autophagosomes).,PTM:The precursor molecule is cleaved by APG4B/ATG4B to form the cytosolic form, LC3-I. This is activated by APG7L/ATG7, transferred to ATG3 and conjugated to phospholipid to form the membrane-bound form, LC3-II.,similarity:Belongs to the MAP1 LC3 family.,subcellular location:LC3-II binds to the autophagic membranes.,subunit:3 different light chains, LC1, LC2 and LC3, can associate with MAP1A and MAP1B proteins.,tissue specificity:Most abundant in heart, brain, liver, skeletal muscle and testis but absent in thymus and peripheral blood leukocytes.,
