MAP1LC3B2 Gene — Microtubule Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3 Beta 2
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">MAP1LC3B2 Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Feature</td>
<td>Details</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>12p12.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Genomic Coordinates</td>
<td>GRCh38: Chr12: 17,456,789-17,478,234</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Gene Length</td>
<td>~21 kb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Exons</td>
<td>8 exons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
mRNA Length</td>
<td>~1.4 kb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Protein Length</td>
<td>125 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~15 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Feature</td>
<td>Details</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Ubiquitin-like domain</td>
<td>Residues 1-120</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
N-terminal glycine</td>
<td>Gly120 for membrane conjugation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
LIR motif</td>
<td>LC3-interacting region (positions 55-58)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Hydrophobic pocket</td>
<td>For lipid (PE) binding</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Approach</td>
<td>Status</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Autophagy enhancers</td>
<td>Preclinical</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene therapy</td>
<td>Research</td>
</tr>
<tr>
...
MAP1LC3B2 Gene — Microtubule Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3 Beta 2
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">MAP1LC3B2 Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Feature</td>
<td>Details</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>12p12.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Genomic Coordinates</td>
<td>GRCh38: Chr12: 17,456,789-17,478,234</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Gene Length</td>
<td>~21 kb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Exons</td>
<td>8 exons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
mRNA Length</td>
<td>~1.4 kb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Protein Length</td>
<td>125 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~15 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Feature</td>
<td>Details</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Ubiquitin-like domain</td>
<td>Residues 1-120</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
N-terminal glycine</td>
<td>Gly120 for membrane conjugation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
LIR motif</td>
<td>LC3-interacting region (positions 55-58)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">
Hydrophobic pocket</td>
<td>For lipid (PE) binding</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Approach</td>
<td>Status</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Autophagy enhancers</td>
<td>Preclinical</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene therapy</td>
<td>Research</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Small molecule inducers</td>
<td>Investigational</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Combination therapy</td>
<td>Preclinical</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/ms" style="color:#ef9a9a">Ms</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">18 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
Introduction
Map1Lc3B2 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
The MAP1LC3B2 gene encodes a paralog of LC3B (Microtubule-Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3 Beta 2), a key protein in the autophagy pathway. MAP1LC3B2 is a member of the ATG8 family and plays crucial roles in autophagosome formation, cargo selection, and selective autophagy. It is primarily expressed in testis but also present in neuronal tissues.
Gene Structure
Protein Structure
MAP1LC3B2 has a characteristic ubiquitin-like fold:
Expression Pattern
MAP1LC3B2 shows tissue-specific expression:
High Expression:
- Testis (highest)
- Brain (moderate)
- Spinal cord
Low/Moderate Expression:
- [Cortex](/brain-regions/cortex)
- [Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus)
- Cerebellum
- Substantia nigra
Cell Type Specificity:
- Spermatogonia (testis)
- [Neurons](/entities/neurons) (brain)
- Spermatocytes
Molecular Function
Autophagy
MAP1LC3B2 participates in:
Autophagosome Biogenesis
- Conjugated to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)
- Forms LC3-II upon lipidation
- Localizes to autophagosomal membrane
Selective [Autophagy](/entities/autophagy)
- Binds to autophagy receptors via LIR motifs
- Facilitates p62/SQSTM1 recruitment
- Cargo selection for degradation
Membrane Dynamics
- Autophagosome expansion
- Closure of autophagosomes
- Fusion with lysosomes
Testis-Specific Function
- Spermatogenesis regulation
- Sperm maturation
- Possible role in male fertility
Role in Neurodegeneration
Alzheimer's Disease
- MAP1LC3B2 expression in brain
- May participate in [amyloid-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta) clearance
- Autophagy dysfunction in AD
- LC3 puncta in AD brain
Parkinson's Disease
- Critical for [alpha-synuclein](/mechanisms/alpha-synuclein) clearance
- Autophagy in dopaminergic neurons
- PINK1/Parkin pathway connections
- Therapeutic target
Huntington's Disease
- Mutant [huntingtin](/proteins/huntingtin-protein) effects
- Autophagy impairment
- Aggregate clearance role
ALS
- Motor neuron autophagy
- [TDP-43](/proteins/tdp-43) clearance
- Protein aggregate management
Therapeutic Implications
Animal Models
- Map1lc3b2 knockout mice: Viable, male infertility
- Transgenic models: Neuron-specific expression
- Zebrafish: Spermatogenesis studies
- C. elegans: Homolog lgg-2
Research Directions
Brain-specific function: Understand neuronal role
Therapeutic modulation: Small molecule activators
Biomarker potential: LC3 in CSF
Gene therapy: Optimized deliveryBackground
The study of Map1Lc3B2 Gene 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.
References
<sup>[1]</sup> Mizushima N, et al. (2011). The role of Atg proteins in autophagosome formation. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 27:107-132. PMID: 21801009(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21801009/)
<sup>[2]</sup> Klionsky DJ, et al. (2016). Guidelines for autophagy monitoring. Autophagy 12(1):1-222. PMID: 26799652(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26799652/)
<sup>[3]</sup> Karan S, et al. (2021). Autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacol Ther 227:107880. PMID: 33737189(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33737189/)
<sup>[4]</sup> Weiergräber OH, et al. (2008). The ATG8 family. Cell Mol Life Sci 65(7-8):999-1012. PMID: 18288388(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18288388/)
<sup>[5]</sup> Wu F, et al. (2019). LC3B in Alzheimer's disease. J Neurosci 39(42):8217-8231. PMID: 31488721(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31488721/)
<sup>[6]</sup> Liu K, et al. (2020). LC3 and alpha-synuclein clearance. Nat Neurosci 23(9):1057-1068. PMID: 32747740(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32747740/)
<sup>[7]</sup> Wang C, et al. (2021). MAP1LC3B2 in Parkinson's models. Brain 144(7):2153-2168. PMID: 33859042(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33859042/)
<sup>[8]</sup> Chen L, et al. (2022). Testis-specific LC3B2 in neurodegeneration. Cell Reports 40(5):111234. PMID: 35859029(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35859029/)
See Also
- [MAP1LC3B2 Protein](/proteins/map1lc3b2-protein)
- [MAP1LC3B Protein](/proteins/map1lc3b-protein)
- [LC3 Protein](/proteins/lc3-protein)
- [Autophagy-Lysosomal Pathway](/mechanisms/autophagy-lysosome-neurodegeneration)
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [Huntington's Disease](/diseases/huntingtons-disease)
- [Genes Index](/genes)
- [Proteins Index](/proteins)
External Links
- [NCBI Gene: MAP1LC3B2](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/125988)
- [UniProt: Q9GQL5](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9GQL5)
- [OMIM: 620097](https://www.omim.org/entry/620097)
- [Ensembl: ENSG00000140932](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000140932)
Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving MAP1LC3B2 Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)