MAP1LC3A

Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3A is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the MAP1LC3A is_associated_with::gene. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

Function
is_associated_with::MAP1A and is_associated_with::MAP1B are is_associated_with::microtubule-associated proteins which mediate the physical interactions between microtubules and components of the is_associated_with::cytoskeleton. is_associated_with::MAP1A and is_associated_with::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.

MAPLC3A is one of the mammalian homologues of yeast is_associated_with::ATG8, an important marker and effector of is_associated_with::autophagy.

Regulation
MAP1LC3A is regulated by several is_associated_with::post-translational modifications. These include covalent linkage of the is_associated_with::C-terminus to is_associated_with::phosphatidylethanolamine in autophagic membranes, and is_associated_with::phosphorylation by is_associated_with::protein kinase A, which downregulates its autophagy functions. Noncovalent interactions are important for its cargo targeting functions in selective autophagy. For example, it has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::sequestosome 1.