BECN1

Description

The BECN1 (beclin 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.

Beclin-1 is a protein encoded by the BECN1 gene in humans. It is the mammalian ortholog of the yeast autophagy-related gene 6 (Atg6) and BEC-1 in the C. elegans nematode. Beclin-1 interacts with either BCL-2 or PI3k class III, playing a crucial role in the regulation of both autophagy and cell death. Beclin-1 plays a significant role in tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration, being involved in autophagic programmed cell death. Ovarian cancer with upregulated autophagy exhibits less aggressive behavior and responds better to chemotherapy. Schizophrenia is linked to low Beclin-1 levels in the hippocampus, leading to diminished autophagy and increased neuronal cell death. BECN1 interacts with several proteins, including Bcl-2, BCL2L2, GOPC, MAP1LC3A, Rubicon, and UVRAG. Trehalose, a modulator of Beclin-1, can increase its levels and enhance autophagy in the frontal cortex of mice.

BECN1 plays a central role in autophagy, acting as a core subunit of the PI3K complex involved in the formation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. It participates in multiple membrane trafficking pathways, with PI3KC3-C1 initiating autophagosomes and PI3KC3-C2 maturing autophagosomes and facilitating endocytosis. BECN1 is also involved in regulating degradative endocytic trafficking and is essential for the abscission step in cytokinesis, likely through its role in PI3KC3-C2. It contributes to endocytosis and protects against infection by a neurovirulent strain of Sindbis virus, suggesting a potential role in antiviral host defense.

BECN1 is also known as ATG6, VPS30, beclin1.

Associated Diseases

WES Whole Exome Sequencing