MAP1LC3C (Microtubule-Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3 Gamma) is a member of the LC3 family of autophagy-related proteins (also known as MAP1A/1B light chain 3). MAP1LC3C plays a crucial role in autophagosome formation and the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, which is essential for clearing protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases.
| MAP1LC3C (LC3C) | |
|---|---|
| Gene Symbol | MAP1LC3C |
| Full Name | Microtubule-Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3 Gamma |
| Chromosome | 4q26 |
| NCBI Gene ID | [75380](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/75380) |
| OMIM | 609459 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000143153 |
| UniProt ID | [Q9GZU8](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9GZU8) |
| Category | Autophagy Protein |
| Protein | [LC3C](/proteins/lc3c-protein) |
MAP1LC3C encodes one of the microtubule-associated proteins (MAP1) light chain 3 family, also known as LC3C. LC3 proteins are essential components of the autophagosome, participating in autophagosome formation and cargo recognition. LC3C is involved in selective autophagy pathways, including mitophagy (mitochondrial autophagy) and ER-phagy (ER autophagy).
In neurons, proper autophagy function is critical for clearing protein aggregates and maintaining neuronal health. Dysregulation of LC3C function has been implicated in Parkinson's disease and Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA).
LC3C participates in the autophagic process:
LC3C has specialized roles in selective autophagy pathways:
| Pathway | Role |
|---|---|
| Mitophagy | LC3C interacts with mitophagy receptors (e.g., optineurin, NDP52) for mitochondrial clearance |
| ER-phagy | LC3C mediates selective degradation of ER segments |
| Xenophagy | LC3C can target intracellular pathogens for degradation |
| Aggrephagy | LC3C facilitates clearance of protein aggregates |
| Partner | Interaction Type | Function |
|---|---|---|
| ATG3 | Conjugation enzyme | LC3C lipidation |
| ATG5 | ATG12-ATG5 complex | Autophagosome formation |
| ATG7 | E1-like enzyme | LC3C activation |
| p62/SQSTM1 | Receptor | Cargo recognition |
| Optineurin | Receptor | Mitophagy |
| NDP52 | Receptor | Mitophagy |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Association Type | Risk factor |
| Mechanism | Impaired mitophagy → accumulation of damaged mitochondria → dopaminergic neuron loss |
| Evidence | GWAS signals, functional studies |
| Relevance | LC3C-mediated mitophagy is critical for dopaminergic neuron survival in substantia nigra |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Association Type | Disease-causing variants |
| Mechanism | Dysregulated autophagy leads to iron accumulation |
| Pathology | Brain iron deposition, neurodegeneration |
While not directly causal, LC3C may be relevant to:
MAP1LC3C is expressed in various tissues with notable expression in:
Within neurons, LC3C localizes to the cytoplasm and can be found associated with: