| Modification Notes |
Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) regulate microtubule stability and play critical roles in neuronal development and in maintaining the balance between neuronal plasticity and rigidity. MAP-light chain 3 beta (MAP-LC3∫) and MAP-light chain 3 alpha (MAP-LC3å) are subunits that can associate with either MAP-1A or MAP-1B. While MAP-LC3∫ is essential for autophagy and is associated with autophagosome membranes after processing, MAP LC3å is involved in the formation of autophagosomal vacuoles and is localized to the intracytoplasmic membrane. MAP LC3å is expressed as two alternatively spliced isoforms that are expressed in testis, brain, heart, liver and skeletal muscle, but are absent in thymus and peripheral blood leukocytes. MAP LC3∫, which exists in a cytosolic and a membrane-bound form, may also be involved in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles and is expressed primarily in heart, testis, brain and skeletal muscle. |