gec-1

ATG8, also known as GABARAPL1, is a ubiquitin-like protein that has a crystal structure. ATG8 consists of a 5-stranded β-sheet, which is enclosed by two α-helices at one side and one α-helix at the other side and exhibits a conserved GABARAP domain. It functions in the formation of autophagosomal membranes. The transient conjugation of ATG8 to the autophagosomal membrane through a ubiquitin-like conjugation system is essential for autophagy in eukaryotes. Autophagy is induced upon nutrient depletion or rapamycin treatment and leads to the response of more than 30 autophagy-related (ATG) genes known so far, including ATG8.

GATE-16, also known as ATG8, belongs to the MAP1 LC3 family. It is expressed at high levels in the brain, heart, prostate, ovary, spleen and skeletal muscle. GATE-16 is expressed at very low levels in lung, thymus and small intestine. GATE-16 is involved in intra-Golgi traffic. It modulates intra-Golgi transport through coupling between NSF activity and SNAREs activation. It first stimulates the ATPase activity of NSF which in turn stimulates the association with GOSR1.