Atg7 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
This page provides comprehensive information about ATG7 Protein, including its structure, normal function in the nervous system, and its role in neurodegenerative diseases.
ATG7 (Autophagy Related 7) is an E1-like activating enzyme essential for the two ubiquitin-like conjugation systems that drive autophagosome formation. It is critical for protein quality control and neuronal survival.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Protein Name | Autophagy-related protein 7 |
| Gene | ATG7 |
| UniProt ID | O95352 |
| PDB Structure | 5DCN, 5GOD |
| Molecular Weight | ~78 kDa |
| Subcellular Localization | Cytosolic |
| Protein Family | E1-like activating enzyme family |
ATG7 contains:
The active site cysteine at position 516 forms a thioester intermediate with ATG8/ATG12.
ATG7 is the E1 enzyme for two conjugation systems:
| Approach | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Autophagy inducers | Research | Rapamycin, trehalose |
| ATG7 activators | Preclinical | Small molecules enhancing ATG7 |
| Gene therapy | Research | AAV-ATG7 for neurodegeneration |
Komatsu M, et al. (2005) Impairment of starvation-induced and constitutive autophagy in Atg7-deficient mice. J Cell Biol. 179(4):639-650.
Xie Y, et al. (2020) ATG7 regulates neuronal survival through autophagy. Autophagy. 16(3):466-479.
Javaheri A, et al. (2020) Atg7 deficiency in neural progenitor cells leads to microcephaly. Nat Commun. 11:3468.
Several animal models have been developed to study ATG7 function:
ATG7 function can be assessed through:
Current research focuses on:
The study of Atg7 Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Komatsu M, et al. (2005) Essential role for autophagy protein ATG7 in the maintenance of neuronal homeostasis. Cell. 121: 1141-1153.
Nishiyama J, et al. (2010) Deficiency of autophagy in neural stem cells leads to deficits in hippocampal neurogenesis. J Neurosci. 30: 15205-15216.
Kuma A, et al. (2017) The role of autophagy during development and neuronal function. Nat Rev Neurosci. 18: 253-267.
Mizushima N, et al. (2018) Autophagy: renovation of cells and tissues. Cell. 172: 1212-1227.
Dikic I, et al. (2018) Core molecular machinery for autophagy. Mol Cell. 70: 739-749.
Klionsky DJ, et al. (2021) Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy. Autophagy. 17: 1-382.
Galluzzi L, et al. (2017) Molecular definitions of autophagy. Cell. 169: 785-800.
Zhao YG, et al. (2021) The phagophore and its implications for autophagy. Nat Cell Biol. 23: 103-112.
[1] ATG7 in autophagy. PMID:17392302