InterPro domain: IPR041691

In yeast, 15 Apg proteins coordinate the formation of autophagosomes. Autophagy is a bulk degradation process induced by starvation in eukaryotic cells [ 1 ]. Apg6, also known as Atg6 or Vps30p, has two distinct functions in the autophagic process, either associated with the membrane or in a retrieval step of the carboxypeptidase Y sorting pathway [ 2 ].

Beclin 1, the mammalian homologue of yeast Atg6/Vps30, is a tumour suppressor that coordinately regulates the autophagy and membrane trafficking involved in several physiological and pathological processes [ 3 , 4 ].

1. The pre-autophagosomal structure organized by concerted functions of APG genes is essential for autophagosome formation. EMBO J. 20, 5971-81
2. Apg14p and Apg6/Vps30p form a protein complex essential for autophagy in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J. Biol. Chem. 273, 22284-91
3. The Beclin 1 network regulates autophagy and apoptosis. Cell Death Differ. 18, 571-80
4. Beclin1: a role in membrane dynamics and beyond. Autophagy 8, 6-17