Autophagy is the process by which endogenous proteins and damaged organelles are destroyed intracellularly. Autophagy is postulated to be essential for cell homeostasis and cell remodeling during differentiation, metamorphosis, non-apoptotic cell death, and aging. Reduced levels of autophagy have been described in some malignant tumors, and a role for autophagy in controlling the unregulated cell growth linked to cancer has been proposed.; Involved in intra-Golgi traffic. Modulates intra-Golgi transport through coupling between NSF activity and SNAREs activation. It first stimulates the ATPase activity of NSF which in turn stimulates the association with GOSR1. SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Golgi apparatus. TISSUE SPECIFICITY: Ubiquitous. Expressed at high levels in the brain, heart, prostate, ovary, spleen and skeletal muscle. Expressed at very low levels in lung, thymus and small intestine.