摘要
Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved intracellular degradation system used by life ranging from yeasts to mammals. The core autophagic machinery is composed of ATG （autophagy-related） protein constituents. One particular member of the ATG protein family, Atg7, has been the focus of recent research. Atg7 acts as an Ellike activating enzyme facilitating both microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 （LC3）- phosphatidylethanolamine and ATG12 conjugation. Thus, Atg7 stands at the hub of these two ubiquitin-like systems involving LC3 and Atg12 in autophagic vesicle expansion. In this review, I focus on the pleiotropic function of Atg7 in development, maintenance of health, and alternations of such control in disease.
Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved intracellular degradation system used by life ranging from yeasts to mammals. The core autophagic machinery is composed of ATG （autophagy-related） protein constituents. One particular member of the ATG protein family, Atg7, has been the focus of recent research. Atg7 acts as an Ellike activating enzyme facilitating both microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 （LC3）- phosphatidylethanolamine and ATG12 conjugation. Thus, Atg7 stands at the hub of these two ubiquitin-like systems involving LC3 and Atg12 in autophagic vesicle expansion. In this review, I focus on the pleiotropic function of Atg7 in development, maintenance of health, and alternations of such control in disease.
