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Domain

The LIR motif (LC3-interacting region) is required for the interaction with ATG8 family proteins MAP1LC3A, MAP1LC3B, MAP1LC3C and GABARAPL1 (PubMed:28287329). Required for proteolytic activation and delipidation of ATG8 proteins (PubMed:28287329, PubMed:29458288).

Function

Cysteine protease that plays a key role in autophagy by mediating both proteolytic activation and delipidation of ATG8 family proteins (PubMed:15169837, PubMed:15187094, PubMed:17347651, PubMed:19322194, PubMed:21177865, PubMed:22302004, PubMed:26378241, PubMed:27527864, PubMed:28633005, PubMed:28821708, PubMed:29232556, PubMed:30076329, PubMed:30443548, PubMed:30661429). Required for canonical autophagy (macroautophagy), non-canonical autophagy as well as for mitophagy (PubMed:33773106, PubMed:33909989). The protease activity is required for proteolytic activation of ATG8 family proteins: cleaves the C-terminal amino acid of ATG8 proteins MAP1LC3A, MAP1LC3B, MAP1LC3C, GABARAPL1, GABARAPL2 and GABARAP, to reveal a C-terminal glycine (PubMed:15169837, PubMed:15187094, PubMed:17347651, PubMed:19322194, PubMed:20818167, PubMed:21177865, PubMed:22302004, PubMed:27527864, PubMed:28287329, PubMed:28633005, PubMed:29458288, PubMed:30661429). Exposure of the glycine at the C-terminus is essential for ATG8 proteins conjugation to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and insertion to membranes, which is necessary for autophagy (PubMed:15169837, PubMed:15187094, PubMed:17347651, PubMed:19322194, PubMed:21177865, PubMed:22302004). Protease activity is also required to counteract formation of high-molecular weight conjugates of ATG8 proteins (ATG8ylation): acts as a deubiquitinating-like enzyme that removes ATG8 conjugated to other proteins, such as ATG3 (PubMed:31315929, PubMed:33773106). In addition to the protease activity, also mediates delipidation of ATG8 family proteins (PubMed:15187094, PubMed:19322194, PubMed:28633005, PubMed:29458288, PubMed:32686895, PubMed:33909989). Catalyzes delipidation of PE-conjugated forms of ATG8 proteins during macroautophagy (PubMed:15187094, PubMed:19322194, PubMed:29458288, PubMed:32686895, PubMed:33909989). Also involved in non-canonical autophagy, a parallel pathway involving conjugation of ATG8 proteins to single membranes at endolysosomal compartments, by catalyzing delipidation of ATG8 proteins conjugated to phosphatidylserine (PS) (PubMed:33909989). Compared to other members of the family (ATG4A, ATG4C or ATG4C), constitutes the major protein for proteolytic activation of ATG8 proteins, while it displays weaker delipidation activity than other ATG4 paralogs (PubMed:29458288, PubMed:30661429). Involved in phagophore growth during mitophagy independently of its protease activity and of ATG8 proteins: acts by regulating ATG9A trafficking to mitochondria and promoting phagophore-endoplasmic reticulum contacts during the lipid transfer phase of mitophagy (PubMed:33773106).

Post-translational modifications

Phosphorylation at Ser-383 and Ser-392 promotes autophagy by increasing protein delipidation activity without affecting proteolytic activation of ATG8 proteins (PubMed:26378241). Phosphorylation at Ser-316 by ULK1 inhibits autophagy by decreasing both proteolytic activation and delipidation activities (PubMed:28821708). Phosphorylation at Ser-316 is dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) (PubMed:28821708). Phosphorylation at Ser-34 by AKT2 promotes its hydrolase activity, leading to increased proteolytic activation and delipidation of ATG8 family proteins (PubMed:30443548). Phosphorylation at Ser-34 by AKT1 promotes mitochondrial localization and inhibition of the F1F0-ATP synthase activity, leading to elevation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) (PubMed:29165041).

Ubiquitinated by RNF5, leading to its degradation by the proteasome.

S-nitrosylation at Cys-189 and Cys-292 in response to high glucose decreases both proteolytic activation and delipidation activities.

O-glycosylated by OGT, leading to increase protease activity, thereby promoting the proteolytic activation of ATG8 family proteins.

Forms reversible intrachain disulfide bonds in response to oxidative stress (PubMed:31880198). Forms interchain disulfide bonds, leading to formation of homooligomers in response to oxidation (PubMed:31880198).

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the peptidase C54 family.

Cellular localization

  • Cytoplasm
  • Cytoplasm
  • Cytosol
  • Cytoplasmic vesicle
  • Autophagosome
  • Endoplasmic reticulum
  • Mitochondrion
  • Mainly localizes to the cytoplasm, including cytosol (PubMed:29165041). A samll potion localizes to mitochondria; phosphorylation at Ser-34 promotes localization to mitochondria (PubMed:29165041).

Alternative names

APG4B, AUTL1, KIAA0943, ATG4B, Cysteine protease ATG4B, AUT-like 1 cysteine endopeptidase, Autophagy-related cysteine endopeptidase 1, Autophagy-related protein 4 homolog B, Autophagin-1, HsAPG4B, hAPG4B

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Oncology

Molecular weight

44294Da

We found 13 products in 4 categories

Proteins & Peptides

Target

Species of origin

Cell Lines & Lysates

Target

Cell type

Species or organism

Search our catalogue for 'ATG4B' (13)

Products

ab199537

Anti-ATG4B antibody [EPR16572]

Recombinant
RabMAb
KO Validated

ab154843

Anti-ATG4B antibody [EPR6436(2)]

Recombinant
RabMAb
KO Validated

ab251285

Anti-ATG4B antibody [EPR16572] - BSA and Azide free

Recombinant
RabMAb
KO Validated

ab249146

Anti-ATG4B antibody [EPR6436(2)] - BSA and Azide free

Recombinant
RabMAb
KO Validated

ab265814

Human ATG4B knockout HeLa cell line

Advanced Validation

ab317821

Anti-ATG4B antibody [EPR28756-91]

Recombinant
RabMAb
KO Validated
20ul selling size

ab317822

Anti-ATG4B antibody [EPR28756-91] - BSA and Azide free

Recombinant
RabMAb
KO Validated