Atg8/LC3 

Autophagy-related 8 proteins (Atg8s) are one of the 62 highly conserved eukaryote-specific protein families. Whereas yeast and other fungal species have a single Atg8 gene, multicellular animals, green plants and some protists have several. Animal Atg8 proteins comprise three subfamilies: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (MAP1LC3, hereafter referred to as LC3), γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) and Golgi-associated ATPase enhancer of 16 kDa (GATE-16).

Atg8 family members are expressed in various tissues, where they participate in multiple cellular processes, such as intracellular membrane trafficking and autophagy. Their role in autophagy has been intensively studied. Atg8 proteins undergo a unique ubiquitin-like conjugation to phosphatidylethanolamine on the autophagic membrane, a process essential for autophagosome formation.