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. The product of this gene is a subunit of neuronal microtubule-associated MAP1A and MAP1B proteins, which are involved in microtubule assembly and important for neurogenesis. Studies on the rat homolog implicate a role for this gene in autophagy, a process that involves the bulk degradation of cytoplasmic component. FUNCTION: Probably involved in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles (autophagosomes). May mediate MAPlA and MAPlB microtubule binding activity during development of the nervous system SUBUNIT: 3 different light chains, LC1, LC2 and LC3, can associate with MAP1A and MAP1B proteins. SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Cytoplasm. Intracytoplasmic membrane; Lipid-anchor. Cytoplasmic vesicle, autophagosome membrane; Lipid-anchor.Note: LC3-II binds to the autophagic membranes.