Description
Beclin 1, also known as also known as ATG6 or VPS30 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BECN1 gene. Beclin 1 and its binding partner class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), also named Vps34, are required for the initiation of the formation of the autophagosome in autophagy. This gene participates in the regulation of autophagy and has an important role in development, tumorigenesis, and neurodegeneration. Schizophrenia is associated with low levels of the protein in the hippocampus of the affected which causes diminished autophagy which in turn results in increased neuronal cell death. It has been found that Beclin 1 can promote autophagy in autophagy-defective yeast with a targeted disruption of apg6/vps30, and in human MCF7 breast carcinoma cells