title: Gene of the month: BECN1.
abstract: The BECN1 gene encodes the Beclin-1 protein, which is a well-established regulator of the autophagic pathway. It is a mammalian orthologue of the ATG6 gene in yeast and was one of the first identified mammalian autophagy-associated genes. Beclin-1 interacts with a number of binding partners in the cell which can lead to either activation (eg, via PI3KC3/Vps34, Ambra 1, UV radiation resistance-associated gene) or inhibition (eg, via Bcl-2, Rubicon) of the autophagic pathway. Apart from its role as a regulator of autophagy, it is also shown to effect important biological processes in the cell such as apoptosis and embryogenesis. Beclin-1 has also been implicated to play a critical role in the pathology of a variety of disease states including cancer, neurological disorders (eg, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and viral infections. Thus, understanding the functions of Beclin-1 and its interactions with other cellular components will aid in its development as an important therapeutic target for future drug development.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, Bosch Institute, Blackburn Building (D06), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahni
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, Bosch Institute, Blackburn Building (D06), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Angelica M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Merlot
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, Bosch Institute, Blackburn Building (D06), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Sukriti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishan
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, Bosch Institute, Blackburn Building (D06), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Patric J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jansson
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, Bosch Institute, Blackburn Building (D06), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Des R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000071186:Beclin-1; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C491997:BECN1 protein, human; D000071186:Beclin-1; D008565:Membrane Proteins
keywords: APOPTOSIS; NEUROPATHOLOGY; TUMOUR BIOLOGY