Beclin-1 is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''BECN1''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
Beclin-1 is a mammalian
ortholog
Sequence homology is the biological homology between DNA, RNA, or protein sequences, defined in terms of shared ancestry in the evolutionary history of life. Two segments of DNA can have shared ancestry because of three phenomena: either a s ...
of the yeast autophagy-related gene 6 (Atg6) and BEC-1 in the
C. elegans
''Caenorhabditis elegans'' () is a free-living transparent nematode about 1 mm in length that lives in temperate soil environments. It is the type species of its genus. The name is a blend of the Greek ''caeno-'' (recent), ''rhabditis'' (r ...
nematode.
This protein interacts with either
BCL-2
Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), encoded in humans by the ''BCL2'' gene, is the founding member of the Bcl-2 family of regulator proteins that regulate cell death (apoptosis), by either inhibiting (anti-apoptotic) or inducing (pro-apoptotic) apoptosi ...
or
PI3k
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), also called phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases, are a family of enzymes involved in cellular functions such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, survival and intracellular trafficking, which i ...
class III, playing a critical role in the regulation of both
autophagy and
cell death
Cell death is the event of a biological cell ceasing to carry out its functions. This may be the result of the natural process of old cells dying and being replaced by new ones, as in programmed cell death, or may result from factors such as d ...
.
Role in disease
Beclin-1 plays an important role in
tumorigenesis
Carcinogenesis, also called oncogenesis or tumorigenesis, is the formation of a cancer, whereby normal cells are transformed into cancer cells. The process is characterized by changes at the cellular, genetic, and epigenetic levels and abnor ...
, and
neurodegeneration, being implicated in the
autophagic programmed cell death
Programmed cell death (PCD; sometimes referred to as cellular suicide) is the death of a cell (biology), cell as a result of events inside of a cell, such as apoptosis or autophagy. PCD is carried out in a biological process, which usually confers ...
.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous tumor of an ovary. It may originate from the ovary itself or more commonly from communicating nearby structures such as fallopian tubes or the inner lining of the abdomen. The ovary is made up of three different c ...
with upregulated
autophagy has a less aggressive behavior and is more responsive to chemotherapy.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social wit ...
is associated with low levels of Beclin-1 in the hippocampus of those affected, which causes diminished
autophagy which in turn results in increased neuronal cell death.
[*]
Interactions
BECN1 has been shown to
interact
Advocates for Informed Choice, dba interACT or interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using innovative strategies to advocate for the legal and human rights of children with intersex traits. The organizati ...
with:
*
Bcl-2
Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), encoded in humans by the ''BCL2'' gene, is the founding member of the Bcl-2 family of regulator proteins that regulate cell death (apoptosis), by either inhibiting (anti-apoptotic) or inducing (pro-apoptotic) apoptosi ...
*
BCL2L2
Bcl-2-like protein 2 is a 193-amino acid protein that in humans is encoded by the ''BCL2L2'' gene on chromosome 14 ( band q11.2-q12). It was originally discovered by Leonie Gibson, Suzanne Cory and colleagues at the Walter and Eliza Hall Instit ...
*
GOPC
Golgi-associated PDZ and coiled-coil motif-containing protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''GOPC'' gene.
PIST is a PDZ domain-containing Golgi protein. PDZ domains contain approximately 90 amino acids and bind the extreme C termi ...
*
MAP1LC3A
Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MAP1LC3A'' gene. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.
Function
MAP1A and MAP1B are microtubule- ...
*
Rubicon
The Rubicon ( la, Rubico; it, Rubicone ; rgn, Rubicôn ) is a shallow river in northeastern Italy, just north of Rimini.
It was known as Fiumicino until 1933, when it was identified with the ancient river Rubicon, famously crossed by Julius Ca ...
*
UVRAG
UV radiation resistance-associated gene protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''UVRAG'' gene.
This gene complements the ultraviolet sensitivity of xeroderma pigmentosum group C cells and encodes a protein with a C2 domain
A C2 do ...
Modulators
;Trehalose:
Trehalose
Trehalose (from Turkish '' tıgala'' – a sugar derived from insect cocoons + -ose) is a sugar consisting of two molecules of glucose. It is also known as mycose or tremalose. Some bacteria, fungi, plants and invertebrate animals synthesize it ...
reduces p62/Beclin-1 ratio and increases
autophagy in the frontal cortex of ICR mice, possibly by increasing Beclin-1.
References
Further reading
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External links
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{{PDB Gallery, geneid=8678
Genes
Human proteins