Cysteine protease ATG4A is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ATG4A gene. 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 remodelling 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. This gene encodes a member of the autophagin protein family. The encoded protein is also designated as a member of the C-54 family of cysteine proteases. Transcript variants that encode distinct isoforms have been identified.
Background References
1. Kabeya Y et al. LC3, GABARAP and GATE16 localize to autophagosomal membrane depending on form-II formation. J. Cell Sci. 117:2805-2812 (2004).
2. Scherz-Shouval R et al. The COOH terminus of GATE-16, an intra-Golgi transport modulator, is cleaved by the human cysteine protease HsApg4A. J. Biol. Chem. 278:14053-14058 (2003).
Sequence Similarity
Belongs to the peptidase C54 family.
Tissue Specificity
Widely expressed, at a low level, and the highest expression is observed in skeletal muscle and brain. Also detected in fetal liver.
Western blot analysis of ATG4A on rat bone marrow tissue lysate. Proteins were transferred to a PVDF membrane and blocked with 5% BSA in PBS for 1 hour at room temperature. The primary antibody (ER1901-38, 1/500) was used in 5% BSA at room temperature for 2 hours. Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG - HRP Secondary Antibody (HA1001) at 1:5,000 dilution was used for 1 hour at room temperature.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human placenta tissue using anti-ATG4A antibody. The section was pre-treated using heat mediated antigen retrieval with Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 8.0-8.4) for 20 minutes.The tissues were blocked in 5% BSA for 30 minutes at room temperature, washed with ddH2O and PBS, and then probed with the primary antibody (ER1901-38, 1/50) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The detection was performed using an HRP conjugated compact polymer system. DAB was used as the chromogen. Tissues were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with DPX.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded mouse testis tissue using anti-ATG4A antibody. The section was pre-treated using heat mediated antigen retrieval with Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 8.0-8.4) for 20 minutes.The tissues were blocked in 5% BSA for 30 minutes at room temperature, washed with ddH2O and PBS, and then probed with the primary antibody (ER1901-38, 1/200) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The detection was performed using an HRP conjugated compact polymer system. DAB was used as the chromogen. Tissues were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with DPX.
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