MAP1LC3B Human
Description
MAP1LC3B is fused to a 20 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
LC3 was initially identified as a microtubule-associated protein in the rat brain. However, subsequent research revealed that its primary function is in autophagy. LC3 is a member of the highly conserved ATG8 protein family, which is present in all known eukaryotic organisms. The animal ATG8 family comprises three subfamilies:
LC3 is a central protein in the autophagy pathway, where it functions in autophagy substrate selection and autophagosome biogenesis. It is the most widely used marker of autophagosomes, which are double-membrane vesicles that sequester cytoplasmic material for degradation . LC3 plays a role in mitophagy, a specific type of autophagy that targets damaged mitochondria for degradation, thereby regulating mitochondrial quantity and quality .
The protein is involved in several critical cellular processes:
- Autophagosome Formation: LC3 is essential for the elongation of the phagophore membrane, a precursor to the autophagosome .
- Mitophagy: LC3 contributes to the regulation of mitochondrial quality by eliminating damaged mitochondria, thus preventing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production .
- LC3-Associated Phagocytosis (LAP): LC3 also plays a role in hybrid degradation pathways where components of autophagy are coupled with phagocytosis .
Human recombinant LC3 is widely used in research to study autophagy and related cellular processes. It serves as a valuable tool for understanding the mechanisms of autophagy and for developing potential therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with autophagy dysfunction.
